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UPDATE: Police Officers’ assault trial moved to Sept

- Officers pleaded not guilty to assaulting Brandon George
Wendell Anthony and Marvin Robinson pleaded not guilty to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm when they appeared at the Magistrate's Court in John's Hole on February 12, 2013. Their trial is now expected to begin in September. Photo:VINO/File
Two police officers have been jointly charged with allegedly assaulting Brandon George (now deceased) in Huntums Ghut on June 24, 2012. The Virtual Complainant (VC), George, succumbed to injuries sustained after the motor scooter he was riding collided with a pick-up on September 27, 2012. Photo: Facebook
Two police officers have been jointly charged with allegedly assaulting Brandon George (now deceased) in Huntums Ghut on June 24, 2012. The Virtual Complainant (VC), George, succumbed to injuries sustained after the motor scooter he was riding collided with a pick-up on September 27, 2012. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The two police officers charged with assaulting Brandon George (now deceased) will return to court for trial in September following the absence of their attorney at the Magistrate’s Court today, June 26, 2013.

The two men, Wendell Anthony, 36, and Marvin Robinson, 32, both pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm when they appeared before the Magistrate’s court previously on February 12, 2013.

The incident allegedly occurred on June 24, 2012 in Huntums Ghut at the residence of George, who is the Virtual Complainant (VC) in the matter. George succumbed to injuries sustained after the motor scooter he was riding collided with a pick-up on September 27, 2012.

When the matter was called today, Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham said the Crown was in a position to proceed and was ready to have its witnesses for the expected start of the trial but the defendants’ attorney, Mr Richard Rowe was in the High Court at the time

The trial is now expected to begin on September 5, 2013.

See previous story posted February 13, 2013:

Police officers charged for allegedly assaulting Brandon George

- granted $20k bail each

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Two Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Wendell Anthony, 36, and Marvin Robinson, 32, both denied charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm when they appeared before the Magistrate’s Court on February 12, 2013.

The men, both unrepresented at the time of their arraignment, are jointly charged with allegedly committing the offence against Brandon George (now deceased) in Huntums Ghut on June 24, 2012. The Virtual Complainant (VC), George, succumbed to injuries sustained after the motor scooter he was riding collided with a pick-up on September 27, 2012.

Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham, in reading the allegations against the duo, said George, 18 years old at the time, was riding his scooter accompanied by another friend whom he later dropped off at the basketball court in Huntums Ghut.

The court heard that Officer Anthony observed the VC on a bike with no ID plates and signalled to him. George reportedly rode off and went to his residence in Huntums Ghut where he later parked his bike.

Shortly afterwards, the VC reportedly heard voices outside and saw Officer Anthony and a friend outside on his stairway. Anthony then allegedly told George to come outside as he was taking (the VC’s) motorcycle.

It was at this point that the VC reportedly telephoned his mother and related what was happening and made attempts for his mother to speak with Mr Anthony, which proved unsuccessful.

Officer Anthony allegedly repeated his claim of removing the motorcycle when the VC reportedly replied, “You’re not going with any bike.” George also added that he knew his bike was ‘straight’ and reportedly attempted to show Officer Anthony the documents for his bike. Senior Crown Counsel Graham stated that it was further alleged that Anthony knocked the documents out of the VC’s hand.

Robinson subsequently arrived at George’s residence and as he was entering the premises, the VC’s dog in the driveway reportedly started barking at him. Officer Robinson allegedly fired several kicks and stones in the direction of the dog. The VC intervened and attempted to block Robinson from throwing rocks and Robinson allegedly held on to George; a struggle then ensued between the two before Anthony allegedly intervened.

It was further alleged that Anthony hit George in the stomach and chest area and the VC was also head butted by Anthony who was wearing a helmet at the time; this reportedly caused several injuries to the VC.

A couple of George’s friends were reportedly present and observed as the officers allegedly handcuffed the VC and took him to the Police station after which he was taken to Peebles Hospital for medical treatment for the injuries he reportedly received to his head.

Complaints were later made to the Complaints and Disciplinary Division of the RVIPF regarding the treatment of Mr George. The Chief Inspector reportedly carried out investigations related to the matter.

Officer Robinson was reportedly told of the report on November 27, 2012 while the allegations were put to Officer Anthony on November 28, 2012. Both defendants reportedly made no reply after which they were told of the offence and that charges were likely to be brought.

Both parents of the deceased were present during the court hearing.

The defendants were each granted $20,000 bail and asked to return to court on March 8, 2013.

49 Responses to “UPDATE: Police Officers’ assault trial moved to Sept”

  • break (13/02/2013, 07:55) Like (2) Dislike (34) Reply
    This is a serious matter did the police kill this boy?
    • seriously!! (13/02/2013, 08:59) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
      @break...are u retarded...or you can't read.....the incident occurred in June.....the boy got hit with a vehicle in September....now how the officers is responsible for his death.....clearly the boy died due to the accident that he was in.....read and understand befor you make a comment.....
    • posh (13/02/2013, 09:02) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
      this is such a retarded comment!!1
      • man in black (13/02/2013, 12:25) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
        To much unnessary force was used on this young man.I've always known him to be a quiet child.Can't recall any one saying anything bad about him.
        • truth be told (13/02/2013, 16:56) Like (5) Dislike (9) Reply
          Apparently u have never seen the other side of this young man which I have witnessed his cursing, threatening and disrespectful manner especially to those in authority. Maybe u just know him as hanging out on the block but he had a very rude side.
          • @ truth be told (13/02/2013, 18:31) Like (4) Dislike (19) Reply
            Blah Blah Blah......of course the police was wrong and evey body know it!!!!
          • Reply (13/02/2013, 22:21) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
            This is ridiculous truth be told!!!!.

          • MAGNUM PI (14/02/2013, 16:45) Like (5) Dislike (13) Reply
            Everyone has their positive and negative side to them but that does not change the fact that those officers abused their power and used excessive force in handling the situation plain and simple they were wrong .
          • Not true (26/06/2013, 14:26) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply

            You have to be a family of the police who allegedly did this horrific thing to George...Never heard anyone complain about George Cursing and was rude. You are a cronic Liar.

    • under the bus (13/02/2013, 11:32) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Jeez um bread so sad that Brandon cannot rest in peace!
  • wise-up (13/02/2013, 08:00) Like (6) Dislike (33) Reply
    post the pictures of these 2 clowns so when i see them coming i can be ready !!!!!!!
  • DADDY FRIDAY (13/02/2013, 08:04) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Bunch of criminals if you ask me.

  • Family Guy (13/02/2013, 08:59) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    To Break: How could the police have killed him. Did you not read the 1st paragraph of this story. "The Virtual Complainant (VC), George, succumbed to injuries sustained after the motor scooter he was riding collided with a pick-up on September 27, 2012."
    • . (13/02/2013, 09:13) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
      the pressure probably caused it
      • mAN uP (13/02/2013, 11:36) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
        well sah dey stress from the beating muss why dey poor child hit up in ah truck..deeds police not protecting we deman
  • biker boyz (13/02/2013, 09:49) Like (15) Dislike (29) Reply
    deport them rarm as soon as the case finish
  • mt two cents (13/02/2013, 10:20) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    The RVIPF under Morris has become Water down and empty. People without a vision perish....
  • ausar (13/02/2013, 11:14) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply
    " .", I have to agree with you.

    A man in the US Virgin Islands succumbed to injuries sustained in a beating of the head days after the event because of previous beatings to the head by thugs not treated in time -or at all, which lead to massive internal bleeding during the last beating and then death.

    So, you may be spot on there now "." !!
    • 1 (13/02/2013, 18:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wow, to quote the famous song, "I see a bad moon rising, I see trouble on the way...." Morris and McClery muss go!!!
  • tony. (13/02/2013, 11:19) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Yes the police beat up the boy so bad.As far as i'm concern they went to his home with that intention.There's another child that they handcuff to a tree and damage his neck and back who is still under medical care.The public will know how dangerious these two police officer are to our community.
  • mask man (13/02/2013, 11:30) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    ..deeds police got to ttop do S**t to pll children
  • old man (13/02/2013, 11:35) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    See why we need our own as police officers will will not beat our people up?
  • Captain (13/02/2013, 11:38) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    shoot man way dey outrage over tis beating? poor we lil country me fren tank god for vino
  • daddy (13/02/2013, 12:02) Like (5) Dislike (254) Reply
    Dont worry guys, its difficult being a cop in this country, remember these people support criminal activities, so obviously they will hate on the police, this matter will be dismissed and you guys will be back out to work in no time, when you come back out, don't ease up, keep the pressure on them @ss, u were doing what your are paid to do, that's just they allegation, we all know what happen, where is the VC now, his own rude arrogance and an d out of control attitude caused his death, bvi public dont like police because most of them are criminals or they supports criminal, magistrate hurry up dismiss this nonesense and put back them man on d road.
    • wow (18/02/2013, 22:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ daddy....whether the VC was rude, disrespectful and out of control is NO reason for you to speak ill of the dead like that!!.... that's unnecessary and cruel and its proves that u are just as bad minded as those so call criminals and their supports.... cause last time i check we are all humans so i know u ain't no saint
  • vasl (13/02/2013, 13:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The moral is low so police can do anything they feel
  • daddy (13/02/2013, 13:24) Like (4) Dislike (12) Reply
    Who the hell you think you is? You dont know one thing about Brandon go jump off a bridge.
  • Why (13/02/2013, 15:09) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    poor child his final weeks was sad on this earth
  • Blah Blah Blah (13/02/2013, 18:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So, baby, listen carefully
    While Morris sing he come-back song

  • wise-up (14/02/2013, 03:05) Like (5) Dislike (21) Reply
    i am not a betting man but i say them police boys winning this one !!!!!!
  • do the right thing (14/02/2013, 08:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    People we live amongst animals in the form of police.. pls protect yourselves..
  • legal team (14/02/2013, 10:32) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am afraid!I am afraid that those in authority,will win maliciously! I know that blogging is done by persons using ficticious names to make comments about perosns:Some of these comments are derogotory and some are rather kind,but my comments will be one of a biblical and spiritual nature;with sympathies to the families of this,now deceased virtual complainant,and also to the two members of Her Majesty's Police Force,who took an oath to serve and protect,but will be faced with aggression,and decision-making,that can land them before a court of law under our justice system,within a democratic society:Last night,I had a dream,seeing known police officers in combat-fatigue,carrying guns of the crown,defending an innocent against aggression;but I woke up this morning, to a scripture reading from a member of my family,who expounded on the reading-JOHN 15 verses 9 to 17:The lord said "As the father has loved me,so I have loved you:remain in my love. You will remain in my love if you keep my commandments,just as I have kept my father's commandments and remain in his love.I have told you all this,my own joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. this is my commandment:love one another as I have loved you. there is no greater love than this,to give one's life for one's friends. and you are my friends if you do what I command you. I shall not call you servants any more,because servants do not know what their master is about. Instead I have called you friends,since I have made known to you evrything I learned from my father. You did not chose me;it was I who chose you and sent you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last.and everything you ask the father in my name,he will give you. This is my command,that you love one another".The word of the lord-Thanks be to god.Now let blog on the man-made-law: Section 184(a) of the Criminal Code[Amendment]Act,2006,No.8 of 2006,which makes provision for the offence of "Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm" to be tried summary,in the magistrates court[summary jurisdiction]. As a citizen of the BVI,who once pratice criminal law in the magistrate's summary court,I want to ask the DPP,what are the "points to prove-Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm"? I refer to my Criminal-Law-Book,seventh edition,by J.C Smith CBE,QC,LLD,FBA and Brian Hogan LLB,both are Barrister-professors of law:Their defination of Assault-Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm,interpreted to me,that two of the main points to prove this offence is that 1.the assault must be premeditated,intentional and "unlawful,and 2.the victim must testify under oath in a court of law,that he was assaulted unlawfully,and the victim must say how he felt during the assault,and that the injuries inflicted unlawfully by the defendant,occasioned "Actual Bodily Harm" on the victim.Members of the DPP's Office;Since when I worked in that office,I noticed SOME of you had a VINDICTIVE attitude towards Police Officers! And prosecuting them was fun to you:While you back-off from prosecuting well-known persons in the BVI:Police officers who break the law,must face the court,like any other citizen;but DPP,if you know,that certain points must be established,as an evidential burden to prove an offence,but the case cannot be proved without the testimony of the victim,like in a of "Murder",then,DPP's officer,you should not go forward with Malicious Prosecution.I sympathise with the family of the complainant,who lost a love-one after this incident:Let justice prevail:God is in control.The defense rest its case..
    • legal team (14/02/2013, 12:21) Like (5) Dislike (85) Reply
      When someone makes a statement to the Police and they die. That statement cannot be used? Why the prosecution then carrying this matter before the court just to satisfy the family who want justice?
  • yyyyyyyyyyy (14/02/2013, 13:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    HAPPY VALENTINE
    To all the lovers in the BVI.
    Love.
  • take off (15/02/2013, 06:12) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
    We need more people like the police inspector who had the heart to charge these two police officers
    • sleuth500 (15/02/2013, 18:56) Like (1) Dislike (18) Reply
      It dont take no heart to do this evil. She is one of them who get a thing and a follow orders. After all the years in policing them still cant investigate. This is nothing but a response to satisfy the CP. More stripes and strife. By the way nuff a unno talking bout Karma> What is it really. For all I see here if you so believe in it is that the decease God rest his soul and his madda had listen to the warning from the officers we would not be blogging on his passing. over and OUT
  • rip (26/06/2013, 13:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    tis sick deman
  • Lucky (26/06/2013, 17:41) Like (3) Dislike (35) Reply
    Ahyo hurry up give back food he job so he can get to pay his child support ......
  • cspan (26/06/2013, 23:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this whole thing is sad
  • Tired of this (27/06/2013, 07:25) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply

    Brandon is gone why do we continue to torment his soul. Geez man P*m needs to give it up....if he was still here I would agree with this but gosh man he's gone. What is the objective of this at this time? If the officers are guilty there time will come, if not now later, if they continue to behave in this manner and not change their ways. There is a God up above, and he says vengeance is his, he will repay. P*m stop being so bitter and allow Jehovah to heal you. You will not heal if you continue with this. This is not for Brandon anymore, this is for you. Brandon is gone not because of the police but because of an accident, you need to stop and let his soul rest and let your family begin to heal. The police have paid long enough for what they did, its time to move on.



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