Allegations made by Rushane Barnett – the man the 23-year-old man charged with five counts of murder – that he was beaten while in police custody, are being probed by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM).
Barnett was charged with the offences arising from the gruesome killing of Kemisha Wright and her four children last Tuesday in Cocoa Piece, Clarendon.
A statement from INDECOM on Thursday said that, “Pursuant to Section 13 of the Independent Commission of Investigations Act, 2010, Commissioner of INDECOM, Hugh Faulkner, instructed the commencement of an investigation into a case of alleged assault in police custody.
“This investigation was in relation to comments purportedly made by Rushane Barnett, to His Lordship the Honourable Mr. Justice Leighton Pusey, during the accused man’s first appearance in the Home Circuit Court on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, as published by local media.
“On Wednesday, June 29, INDECOM Investigators visited the Police Lock-up, where the complainant, Rushane Barnett, was preliminarily interviewed in relation to his allegations as reportedly expressed during the court proceedings.
“The Commission sought medical intervention for the complainant, through the submission of an INDECOM Medical Request Visitation Form. The Commission was assured by the custody inspector that steps will be taken to facilitate a Doctor’s visit as soon as possible,” stated INDECOM.
Meanwhile, the commission said its investigation will continue.
It will include a recorded statement from the complainant and a request for the official transcript of the court proceedings to verify the alleged comments.
The killing of the family of five – Kemisha Wright and her four children Kimanda Smith, 15; Shara-Lee Smith, 10; Rafaella Smith, 5; and Kishaun Henry, a 23-month-old boy – has left the entire country outraged.
Residents discovered the victims with several stab wounds and their throats slashed.
It is alleged that Barnett and Wright were involved in frequent arguments.
Barnett had reportedly fled Trelawny after he was said to have been involved in lotto scamming.
He was also charged for unlawful wounding by the police in relation to the injuring of his father during previous altercations.
However, his father withdrew those charges.
Barnett appeared in court on Thursday, where he settled his legal representation by being assigned a legal aid attorney.
