Man Dies Days After Vigilante Attack In Trinidad And Tobago

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, June 4, 2018 (CMC) – Relatives of a market vendor, who died on Sunday, after he was beaten in an alleged vigilante attack, last week, are calling for justice.

Hospital authorities confirmed that Ashdale Mc Hutchinson, who was burnt during the attack last Wednesday, died at the Mount Hope Medical Hospital, without regaining consciousness from the beating he received from residents of Oropune Garden in east Trinidad, who claimed he was trying to lure an infant girl.

Many had taken to social media to support the beating, calling for his death, even as images of the badly beaten man were posted on Facebook.

But relatives denied he was seeking to lure the child, with one friend posting “this is an innocent man. His only crime is being too friendly to adults or children. This man was just at my house, a house full of children, and took my baby for a walk, a minute before this happened.

“And I am sure a lot of people would have seen him. All he told this child was I am your big cuz (cousin) laughing, he always makes jokes, nothing more. So because nobody knew him from the area and he talk to a child, he must be a rapist smh.”

Police said that when they were called to the area, last week, they found Mc Hutchinson on the road and that no one claimed responsibility for beating him.

Police said that, prior to their arrival, he had attempted to take the girl away from her relatives, by telling her, “Come baby, come, you are my cousin”.

However, the little girl ran from the man and told her mother what had happened.

Media reports said that the mother ran over to where the man was, and began asking him about his intentions and what was he attempting to do with the child.

The reports said that the man fled into some bushes near the apartments, and that at least 15 others joined, setting fire to the bush.

Police said the residents claimed the man fell down several times, while they were attempting to grab him.

Last week, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) condemned the excessive use of force by citizens against the man, with public affairs officer, ASP Michael Jackman, warning that vigilante justice is a serious matter.

“The Police Service does not condone any use of force, beyond that which is reasonably necessary in apprehending and detaining a person suspected of having committed, or being in the act of committing, an arrestable/serious offence,” Jackman said.

“The same standard of accountability exists for law enforcement personnel as it pertains to our Use of Force Policy,” he added.