Man freed of murder sues government

Fifty-six-year-old vendor Anthony Powell, who was freed last month of a murder charge after it was revealed that police witnesses had given false testimony in the case, has filed a suit against the government.

Powell is seeking redress for breaches of his constitutional rights, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and assault.

He is also seeking damages for loss of income.

Attorney-at-law Lynden Wellesley, who represented Powell at the trial, confirmed today that the suit was filed last week and has been served on the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police, who are respondents in the case.

The policemen had testified at the trial in the Home Circuit Court that they spoke with the deceased while he was undergoing treatment after he was shot.

They also testified that they took statements from him.

However, under cross-examination, two doctors said that because of the injury suffered by the deceased and the surgery to his throat there was no way he would have been able to speak.

Powell was freed based on the medical evidence.

The murder case had dragged on for seven years, four of which Powell spent in custody before he was granted bail.