Probe into prison death, escape

KINGSTOWN (CMC):

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has asked that Assistant Commissioner of Police Michael Charles, his former personal body- guard, be assigned to an investigation of how an accused murderer managed to escape from Her Majesty's prison, and the death of another accused murderer while in custody.

Godwin Moses, a 27-year-old labourer, has been on the run since he escaped from prison on November 21 when 37 prison wardens were on duty; while Alberto Danzell died at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital on November 25 after falling ill.

Moses and Tameka Sutherland, 19, are jointly charged with the murder of Steveon Springer of Layou.

Springer was shot in the head and hip in Kingstown while holding his one-year-old daughter in his arms.

Bogus information

Commissioner of Police Keith Miller recently said the public was giving bogus information about the escaped man, who police said might be armed and dangerous.

Gonsalves, who is also the minister of national security, said this week that he has received a report from prison officials.

He, however, said that while he was satisfied with the report, he felt that there ought to be further investigations, and requested that Charles be assigned to the case.

Gonsalves further noted that it is not a criminal investigation because there is no suggestion of a criminal conspiracy.