Two police officers accused of beating up a teenager on his own property in June 2012 were found guilty yesterday in Magistrates’ Court.
Magistrate Dr. Velon John found constables Wendell Anthony and Marvin Robinson guilty of assault occasioning bodily harm against Huntums Ghut man Brandon George, wrapping up a matter that started in February 2013 and included testimony from 11 witnesses.
Dr. John gave a lengthy recap of the evidence before rendering a verdict, summarising the events that led to the charges against Messrs. Anthony and Robinson.
Two of Mr. George’s friends, Aaron Headley and Denston Johnney, were at the scene of the alleged crime and both testified on behalf of the victim, who died later in 2012 in an unrelated scooter accident.
They both said that Mr. Anthony was trying to confiscate Mr. George’s scooter from his yard, and that the officer slapped the registration papers out of his hand when he tried to present them.
They also said that Mr. Robinson threw a rock at Mr. George’s dog. When Mr. George approached him and asked him why he did that, they testified, one of the officers put him in a chokehold while the other head-butted and punched him.
Dr. John said that even though the witnesses couldn’t recall which officer head-butted the victim and which held him, their confusion on that issue was understandable since the chaotic incident happened two years ago.
The officers denied assaulting Mr. George, who they claimed resisted arrest.
See the Oct. 9, 2014 edition for full coverage.