Probes mounted into fatal stabbing of Negril inmate

The police and the Independent Commission of Investigation (INDECOM) have launched probes into the stabbing death of a detainee, allegedly by another inmate, at the Negril lock-up in Westmoreland on Friday night.

The dead prisoner has been identified as 24-year-old Rico Brevett, unemployed, of Red Ground, Westmoreland.

Police reports indicate that about 9 p.m., Brevett and the 28-year-old accused, who hails from Lucea, Hanover, requested to use the bathroom and were later released from their cells.

While inside the bathroom, both men got involved in a physical confrontation, during which the accused allegedly used a sharp object to stab Brevett multiple times in the chest.

The police overheard the commotion and reportedly restrained the accused.

Both men suffered wounds to the upper body and were rushed to the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital, where Brevett was pronounced dead, and the accused detainee treated.

The accused was still at hospital under police guard and had not yet been charged up to Sunday afternoon.

“So far, the police are still carrying out an investigation to determine what led to the dispute between both inmates,” a policeman, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press, said.

Both men were in lock-up on gun-related charges, the policeman said. Brevett was in custody in connection with an incident in Negril, and the accused has been implicated in a shooting of a motorist along Norman Manley Boulevard in Negril late last year.

Director of complaints at INDECOM, Errol Chattoo, said that his team has visited the lock-up and commenced an investigation.

“It is still early times yet, and we are unable to provide much more information until the investigation progresses,” Chattoo stated.

In a statement issued on Sunday afternoon, INDECOM said that all relevant police records and diary entries were inspected and documented and the concerned officers were served with Section 21 notices for statements and interviews this week.

Brevett is the 16th person to be murdered in Westmoreland this year – one more than during the corresponding period in 2020.