Ford Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter
Dr. Jephthah Ford will take legal action against police officers alleged to have beaten him and his sister at his Fun Citi entertainment venue in Port Henderson, St. Catherine, early Monday morning.
Attorney Majorie Shaw-Currie said that both criminal and civil action will be sought on behalf of her client, 55-year-old Dr. Ford, who remains in a stable condition at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), and sister Andrea, 57. Meanwhile, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Denver Henry of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Anti-Corruption Unit said a fourth policeman has been implicated with possibly more to follow.
"We will not be submitting anything at this point, but I am meeting with witnesses so that I can interview them and find out which are going to be available for court proceedings," Mrs. Shaw-Currie told The Gleaner. "Clearly on my instruction there will be need for both criminal and civil action against the members of state who are responsible for the injuries to him and his sister."
DSP Henry said that investigators were gathering witness statements to ascertain whether a criminal case can be brought against the four. Most of the weapons alleged to have been involved, including Dr. Ford's firearm, are now with the forensic laboratory, said DSP Henry.
"Some other policemen were mentioned as present in other capacities and we are calling them in one by one to see what role they have played," he said.
Policemen to be questioned
The four policemen already implicated have not been questioned, nor been removed from front-line duty, which would be the responsibility of Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas. DSP Henry said that investigators are waiting for Dr. Ford to recover sufficiently for an interview and would likely call the policemen in for questioning today. One of the policemen is on sick leave, he said.
The siblings were injured in th which occurred about 4:00 a.m. when Dr. Ford is said to have intervened to protect sister Andrea who received minor injuries. He was beaten once at the scene and again at the Greater Portmore Police station, while reportedly wearing handcuffs, before being retrieved in a state of unconsciousness by relatives, who drove him to KPH.
The policemen were reportedly moonlighting as security guards employed by the promoters of 'Wet, Wet' which was held at Fun Citi on Sunday night. The incident arose when Ms. Ford, who is the venue manager was accused by guards of trying to gain free entry for members of the public.
DSP Henry confirmed that moonlighting is being probed as a 'minor issue' within the investigation. However the JCF does not have a policy covering 'extra work'.
Ms. Shaw-Currie said that Dr. Ford was bailed at $100,000 on Monday night for the two charges he faced: illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition and assault.
ross.sheil@gleanerjm.com
