The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted bail yesterday after being arraigned in connection with a recent brawl at the funeral of a police officer that was filmed and spread on social media.

Kenneth George Hart, 36, of Guinep Tree Street, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt facing charges of obstruction, obscene language, assaulting a police officer, disorderly behaviour, resisting arrest and damage stemming from an incident that occurred outside New Bethlehem Baptist Church on Independence Drive following the funeral service of Constable 3657 Wesley Nicholas Gaitor last Thursday.

Hart denied allegations that he prevented Constable 3769 Johnson from carrying out his duties on December 30, 2015 and acting in a disorderly manner.

He also denied cursing, attacking and damaging the police tunic of Constable Johnson while also resisting arrest.

According to earlier reports, the alleged brawl reportedly erupted when a woman officer was asked by a fellow police officer to move her vehicle, but defied those orders.

The woman constable’s male companion also started to argue with the officer, which reportedly led to a fistfight between both men, according to early reports.

Officers from the Royal Bahamas Police Force had gathered for the funeral of Constable Gaitor, who died in a car crash with his best friend on the morning of Friday, December 18. He was off duty at the time of the crash.

Hart was granted $3,500 bail with a suretor when there was no objection from police prosecutor ASP Clifford Daxon.

He is to appear before Magistrate Sandradee Gardiner on January 22 to receive a date for trial.

He has retained attorney Calvin Seymour to defend him.

The woman involved in the argument has since been dismissed from the police force.