Family holds memorial service for Oscar Bartholomew

By Linda Straker

THE family of the man who lost his life as a result of alleged police brutality held a memorial service for him in the same church where his funeral service was held and attended by hundreds of Grenadians.

Oscar Bartholomew’s death became international news December 2011 after he was beaten up by police at the St. David’s Police Station when he bear-hugged a female officer he mistook for a friend. Five officers were charged with manslaughter for the criminal offence, but their legal attorney has since filed a motion in the High Court seeking a Coroner’s Inquest into the matter.

The preliminary inquiry into the matter commenced, but the legal defence team said it wanted to go the inquest route to find out who is culpable for causing the death of Bartholomew.

The defence is relying on the Coroner’s Act, which mandates an inquest when someone dies in a public facility, such as a prison. A pathology report indicated he died from trauma to the head and other parts of his body.

Judgement in the High Court motion is expected in the New Year as it was already debated in the court during the latter months of 2012.