The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A LAWYER yesterday expressed concern for his client’s stay in prison, which had been affected by the passing of Hurricane Matthew.

Kelvin Deveaux, 20, and 24-year-old Dereck Neily appeared before Justice Bernard Turner yesterday to learn if their case into the August 2014 killing of Latore Mackey would be heard as their initial November 2015 date had been delayed because of an ongoing case.

The accused men were told that they would have to wait until November 1 to learn when they would stand trial as the court was proceeding with another trial.

Geoffrey Farquharson, lawyer for Deveaux, informed the court of complaints his client had brought to his attention concerning the sanitation and nutrition of the facility which he attributed to the category four storm that pummelled the capital at the end of last month.

“Kelvin Deveaux is in the custody of the commissioner of prison in his duty to this court,” Mr Farquharson said.

“So you have concerns about the conditions of his remand?” the judge asked.

“Serious concerns. No attempts have been made to clean the prison since the flooding occurred during the storm. Food delivery and preparation has been impacted. Prisoners have been given one slice of bread and tea, in some instances cold tea,” the lawyer added.

“Lunch is sometimes served at 4 or 5pm. These are human beings m’lord,” Mr Farquharson stressed.

Justice Turner said he had made a note of the complaints and would bring it to the attention of the relevant authorities before adjourning the matter.

Mackey, 37, was deputy director of Bahamas Information Services, owner of the Blue Reef Sports Bar and Lounge on West Bay Street, and press secretary to Prime Minister Perry Christie.

He was shot in the neck around 4.30am off Market Street on August 25, 2014, according to initial reports.

Deveaux, of Market Street, and Neily, of Young Close, face a charge of murder under Section 291 (1B) of the Penal Code, Chapter 84. A charge under this section does not attract the court’s discretionary death penalty but carries a sentencing range from 30 to 60 years imprisonment if convicted by a Supreme Court jury.

Deveaux and Neily have retained Mr Farquharson and Michael Kemp to defend them against the charge.

Darrell Taylor and David Cash appeared for the Crown.