Marvin Dames, Chief superintendent with responsibility for the Central Detective Unit told the Guardian yesterday, “We are almost at the point of completion with respect to the investigation”.
During a prison break in the early morning hours at Her Majesty’s Prison on Jan. 17 prison guard Dion Bowles lost his life allegedly at the hands of the people he guarded along with inmate, Neil Brown, who was fatally shot by police. Prisoners Forrestor Bowe, 29, a convicted murderer whose case is now before the Privy Council in London, and convicted rapist Barry Parcoi, 42, who is serving a life sentence and who had escaped from prison last year, were also injured during the incident. The pair was recaptured and returned to protective custody at the prison.
Corey Hepburn, 26, who was successful in his escape bid was recaptured by police on February 2 in the Coral Harbour area. “We have to sit down and determine whether it is a matter that we will send on to the Coroner’s [Court] so that a determination can be made there. But we will certainly have to sit down with the AG [Attorney General’s] office and come to some agreement on what direction we intend to go with the file,” Chief Dames revealed. At this point the police are investigating the death of Corporal Bowles, the death of Neil Brown, how those persons escaped Maximum security and whether they were assisted by anyone inside or outside of the prison, he explained.
“We had to see quite a number of prison officers. We had to see quite a number of prison inmates and our investigations extended to the outside as well,” he said.
Mr Dames said the way forward is to prevent another prison break and another incident where a prison officer loses his life.
Indicating that the matter was serious and one which could not be concluded overnight, Chief Dames said, “At the end of day when the matter is referred that we would be in a position to find all of the answers to the questions that are currently before us.”
As regards anyone being arrested in connection with harbouring convicted armed robber Corey Hepburn during his escape from jail, Mr Dames said, “The investigation is certainly not yet complete and we have not exhausted that line yet.”
The police nonetheless are pleased with the progression of the investigations at this point, he noted.
Chief Dames reiterated that all investigations would be completed “shortly”.
As for the investigation from prison officials, Superintendent Dr Elliston Rahming in charge of the penal institution, said on February 27 that the investigations were complete and the findings were forwarded to the Ministry of National Security.
A five-member Court of Inquiry appointed by Dr Rahming, began compiling the report on Jan 23, six days following the prison break.
By: JIMENITA SWAIN, The Nassau Guardian
