The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – A Supreme Court jury has asked to visit the Police Force Garage, from where some 200 gallons of gasoline disappeared in November 2010. The on site visit is scheduled to take place on Friday.

The jury has requested the attendance of several witnesses at the compound on Peel Street, including Police Sgt Sawyer, Sgt Curtis Rolle, and Inspector Ferguson. Former police officers Racine Milfort and Anthony Griffin are accused of stealing by reason of employment 199 gallons of gasoline from the Force Garage on November 12, 2010. It is alleged that 164 gallons disappeared between 3:47pm and 7pm; and another 35 gallons between 7pm and 7:45pm on the date in question.

According to Court evidence, a white Police flatbed truck with four 55-gallon drums was seen parked at the Garage gasoline pump around 7pm on November 12. Corporal Griffin was also seen at the garage that evening. Inspector Ferguson, officer in charge of the Force Garage, testified that he questioned Milfort and Griffin on November 15 about the missing gasoline, but both denied any knowledge of it. Mr Ferguson said when he requested to see all the gas sheets in their possession, Milfort could not produce any, and said he had destroyed them. The men were then cautioned and interviewed by Inspector Detective Hilton Cash about the missing gasoline.

Police Sergeant 1796 Presley Rolle was present during the interview. He told the Court that Inspector Cash questioned the men individually and took notes. Griffin, he said, admitted to being at the garage on the date in question because he had received parts for a police motorbike, which he was working on. According to Sgt Rolle, Griffin said he saw the Police truck parked at the gasoline pump with one barrel on it. He took the barrel off the truck and parked it. He said that Milfort told Inspector Cash that he was not at the garage the evening the gasoline went missing. Sgt Rolle said both men refused to give a written police statement. Defence Attorney Brian Hanna suggested to Sgt Rolle that Griffin never told Inspector Cash that he removed the drum and parked the truck.

The trial resumes on Friday. Justice Hartman Longley is presiding over the case. A jury of six women and three men is hearing evidence. Erica Kemp of the Attorney General’s Office appears for the Crown. R Dawson Malone represents Milfort and K Brian Hanna represents Griffin.

The officers have been suspended from their duties pending the outcome of the trial.