By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage said he is very concerned that two men died while in police custody, but urged the public not to rush to judgment.

Speaking with The Tribune, Dr Nottage said he has not received any information indicating the deaths were caused by police officers, and is awaiting the results of an investigation.

“I think the fact that two persons died is a matter for public concern, it is also a concern for me as minister,” he said.

“When an incident like this occurs, it is important to get the facts before rushing to judgment.

“Pursuant to the provisions of the Coroner’s Act and to ensure that the investigations into these events are transparent and impartial, the matters were immediately referred to Her Majesty’s Coroner, Mrs Linda Virgil, who immediately visited the locations of both events to commence her investigations.

“As the matters are now the subject of judicial inquests, public statements by me as minister and by the Police Force, must be limited to ensure that the inquest proceedings are not prejudiced.”

Dr Nottage added: “As the minister responsible for National Security, I give my personal assurance to the Bahamian people that your government remains committed to ensuring that the constitutional rights of all its citizens and residents are protected.

“The public as well as people who are in custody can be assured that it is our policy that no physical harm will come to them, but when any adverse incident occurs, of course it is tremendous cause for concern.

“I have had discussions with the leadership of the police force and I have been assured that these matters will be followed up and if any officer was complicit in anything, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Dr Nottage also extendeted condolences to the families of the deceased men.

Matther Jacob Pratt, 33, and 21-year-old Aaron Rolle both died while in police custody over the weekend.

It is understood that Rolle, of Ross Corner, was being held at the Quakoo Street station on Saturday, having earlier escaped from the station.

He was recaptured 30 hours after making his escape.

Around midnight on Saturday, Rolle had reportedly asked to have some water and be allowed to use the telephone. He was given water, but shortly afterwards, his cell mate called out to officers to inform them that Rolle was lying on the floor and appeared to be dead.

Paramedics were summoned to the station and pronounced him dead. It is understood that he had certain “medical challenges”.

The circumstances surrounding Pratt’s death at the Central Detective Unit on Friday remain unknown. He was in custody in connection with armed robbery.

The deaths come eight months after 22-year-old Tyronne Saunders was found unresponsive inside a CDU cell one day after being arrested in connection with a murder.

Though the coroner’s report released a week later revealed that Saunders died of a heart attack, the family did not accept this, believing the circumstances to be suspicious.

Pratt and Rolle’s deaths are being investigated by Coroner Dr Linda Virgil.