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Death by mishap
Marguerita Maloney, mother of I'Akobi Maloney, being held up by supporters as she mourns the verdict of the inquest into her son's death. (Picture by Donnay Deane)
Published on: 4/25/2009.
by MARIA BRADSHAW
I'AKOBI MALONEY was not killed by police neither did he commit suicide. His death was ruled a misadventure.
Coroner Faith Marshall-Harris handed down this decision yesterday six months after the start of the inquiry into the death of the 23-year-old Exhibition winner whom police said jumped off a 50-ft cliff at Land Lock, St Lucy, last June 17, as he was about to be escorted to the Holetown Police Station.
The coroner found there was no evidence to substantiate that Maloney had been unlawfully killed by the police or that he had committed suicide. She surmised that Maloney, a Rastafarian, may have felt some form of harassment when the police requested that he accompany them to the station and so "he panicked and made a sudden dash for freedom".
But while the magistrate cited the mutual distrust between the rastafarian community and the police and called for improved relations between the two, the verdict was not accepted by the many rastafarian brethren who turned out yesterday.
They gathered in the courtyard surrounding Maloney's grieving mother, Marguerita, and let it be known that there would be no peace between them and the police.
Marshall-Harris spent close to two hours reviewing the case and analysing the evidence.
In looking at the timelines from the time Maloney resigned his job at the Arawak Cement Plant, arrived at Land Lock, encountered the police and then allegedly jumped over the cliff, she found that the window of opportunity was "a mere five minutes".
She asked: "What can the police officers do to Maloney in five minutes to procure his death? As such, she said that to suggest that the two police officers Sergeant Wingrove Headley and Constable Anthony Walkes aimed to harm Maloney would be unjust.
She further found that the many lacerations on his body were as a result of the battering he received while in the choppy waters.
In terms of the lone eye-witness Anthony Collymore, the coroner said it was "very unfortunate" that he looked away from his window at the critical moment when Maloney reportedly jumped but she accepted his evidence that he believed all was well because Maloney was getting dressed.
The magistrate also dismissed any suggestions that the deceased was a homosexual, stating: "We can find no such indication by any written or spoken word by Maloney."
She deduced from the writings in his diary that he was a "red blooded heterosexual" who was preoccupied with women.
"His poetry revealed a deep and abiding interest in women and we reject the evidence regarding homosexuality", she stated, while also finding that allegations of a fight at the Cement Plant on the day he died between him and a co-worker were without merit.
In terms of the writings in his diary which were described by Psychiatrist Dr Ermine Belle as "the writings of a troubled man", the Magistrate stated that the court was not satisfied that Maloney intended to commit suicide on that day.
"If he was going to kill himself there would be no need to resign," she stated adding that he was in no way fatalistic.
On June 17 police received reports of possible drug activity at Land Lock St Lucy. However when they arrived at the scene they found Maloney who had just resigned from his job and was meditating at the secluded spot. While taking him into custody for further questioning, the police said he suddenly made a dash and jumped over the cliff.
The inquiry first started last November.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Death by misadventure indicates that death has occurred, but that the circumstances causing the death were not unlawful.
12 comment found!
Death by mishap : 4/26/2009
Dear Mr editor we know a death occurred, what we do not know is how this death actually took place death by misadventure says nothing it does implies I'AKOBI took his own life. Any death by murder,suicide accidental is a misadventure ask the dead person.
Just Verdict : 4/26/2009
In light of the evidence presented this is the only logical verdict that could have been reached. None of us were there and if we listened to what was presented then we could only reach the same decision. Lets put all of our gut feelings aside. Those persons that have grudges against the police will find a problem with this verdict but if you support police then you would have no problem. Lets be objective this is the only verdict that could be reached. People do strange things for no reason at all every day in all parts of the world. Yes he did not run initially but that doesn't mean he didn't run when he knew that the police were going to take him to the station. I have no doubt that he ran. None of the police knew him before that day why would they want to push him off of a cliff? The bruises and lacerations are normal for a person who is battered by the sea unto those rocks in the area. The Magistrate summed it up well what could the police have done to him in five minutes or less that caused those injuries. Accept the verdict and move on people. Appeal the decision and regardless of who hears the case or investigates in Barbados or abroad they will come up with the same evidence and the same conclusion. Death by misadventure.
What was the motive? : 4/25/2009
What possible motive would the police have had for doing harm to I'Akobi??? He was not known to them. Why in the space of 5 minutes would two officers of the law have decided to take the life of a complete stranger??? That makes no sense to me. It seems plausible to me that I'Akobi was contemplating (not necessarily planning) suicide and that the confrontation with the police was the last straw.
MIKE VERY OFFENSIVE : 4/25/2009
Mike from Toronto I find you comments very insulting. I am not a Bajan on the fringe of SOCIETY. I am sure most law abiding Citizens of Barbados are very conerned about this young man death. I must say to you that, like you I also live in North America where Citizens rights are violated every day by law enforcement, especially when you are BLACK. I hope you nevr have any bad experiences with the POLICE in Toronto.
: 4/25/2009
I have nothing against the Rastafarian community but to me this inquiry was a waste of time. It was trying to point blame on the protectors of society carrying out their everyday job. A young man died under mysterious circumstances but no foul play was evident, yet it is a hard pill to swallow for his people, who stoutly portray to be a saint. But he was just a man.
MANY QUESTIONS TO ANSWER : 4/25/2009
I must begin this comment by asking the Editor what happen to the PICTURE of MRS. MALONEY lying on the gruond that they had in the paper last night? what happen to the comment I submitted last night? I would really like to know. How many other comments you have not posted? I find this case rather bothering. I have been trying to follow this inquest as closely as possible. Something seems so wrong in the manner which this youn man died. Where the Police Officers who were taking Akobi to the police Station armed? If Akobi did JUMP, did he JUMP of his own ACCORD or was he forced to run and JUMP? If Akobi cooperated with the Policemen and had agreed to accompany them to the station, why all of a sudden he would choose to runaway and JUMP over a cliff to his death. If he had any Criminal intent we would have ran away the moment he say the Poiice approaching. was this young man so fast to out run thses two officers? Where there lots of marks on his body? were their signs of any blunt force? I would not have like to be in Coroner Faith Marshall-Harris position. I must have been very difficult for her. She is a just and fair lady and upholds the law well. She gave her decision base on what was presented to her. My heart and love goes out to the MALONEY family. Be strong move forward and go on. Jah is still Kings of Kings and Lord of Lords. He was there when it happen he saw it all. He will dispense his justice in time. KARMA is a very powerful thing, and it always come around. If Akobi did not jump of his own ACCORD, who ever made him JUMP will pay for it. KARMA will take care od it, I am sure of that.
Death by mishap : 4/25/2009
Let's accept the coroner’s verdict. However, my concerns still surround the evidence presented by the police to suggest suicide. 1 was there a letter? 2 if so who wrote it? 3 who would benefit by its existence and any possible future disappearance? 4 Could someone be guilty of purgeory? If this is the case what is being done to bring those people to justice...Lots of concerns. In part I have a mistrust of local law enforcement and I have had my share of hair raising escapes from the hand after reluctantly revealing the” silver spoon in my mouth” While many may justify abuse of the Rastafarian community based on misinformed views on the drug used and perceived links with criminality; I can say that I have never walked outside the law and I am a highly respected member of the community. However, in my younger days based on my then appearance I have narrowly escaped harm so I can only imagine what member of the Rastafarian community goes through.
Death by mishap : 4/25/2009
I am amazed that anyone is surprised by the outcome of this inquest.
Death by mishap : 4/25/2009
Of course Mr Maloney's supporters and other people on the fringe of society will never accept the findings of 'the powers to be'.Their(people on the fringe) views tend to be of a cynical and conspiratorial nature.I still have empathy for his family and friends due to fact that he had to lose his life and that he was a productive member of society.
Misadventure : 4/25/2009
Arthur, what is the definition of murder? were any evidence brought forward to prove murder? I would agree with you that being homosexual had nothing to do with this case.
Murder : 4/25/2009
Sounds like cold-blooded murder to me. Also, what does being a homosexual have to do with this case?
death by mishap : 4/25/2009
what was the cause of mr Maloney death? was it inhalation of water that would be drowning, did he die from blood lost because of the cuts which were sustained in his fall over the cliff? were any bones broken?what part of the body first inpacted the cliff? how long was the body in the water? i don't think all qustions were answered
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