Murder at Melrose Prison: Andy Selmour Forced to Swallow Drugs After His Assault
Murder at Melrose Prison: Andy Selmour was reportedly forced to ingest an illicit substance soaked in wire after being assaulted on Tuesday. Investigators are exploring this theory after reviewing surveillance footage.
The 33-year-old inmate died on Tuesday night at Melrose Prison after being attacked and compelled to swallow a suspicious substance. The CID inquiry from Quartier-Militaire reveals serious flaws in the handling of the victim and raises significant concerns about detention conditions.
Reviewing the prison's video footage, some of which includes audio recording, has allowed investigators to reconstruct Andy Selmour's last moments. The footage shows at least five inmates surrounding the victim, who is writhing on the ground in pain following his assault. The video captures one of the assailants forcing Andy Selmour to swallow a piece of wire believed to be soaked in synthetic drugs. "They forced him to swallow a piece of wire while he was in pain… Risk this risk that," can be heard on the audio recording.
Seconds later, the inmate begins to vomit before being abandoned by his attackers. Police believe it was wire soaked in synthetic drugs. "It seems he was forced to ingest something," a source close to the investigation revealed.
The CID of Quartier-Militaire is also investigating a suspicious delay in alerting and requesting medical assistance. Furthermore, at least 25 minutes passed between the confirmation of the death and the police accessing the scene, according to preliminary findings.
The incident occurred on Tuesday. Andy Selmour had been assaulted early in the afternoon, sustaining a cut of at least 5 centimeters. Injured, he was attended to by guards and placed in the Medical Unit. Only after about 30 minutes was he examined by two nurses, who alerted the prison doctor. The doctor ordered his transfer to the hospital, but senior officials reportedly ignored this directive, deeming it unnecessary to send him to the Prison Ward at JNH Hospital.
Earlier that day, Andy Selmour had been targeted by two inmates in a settling of scores. After exiting the restroom, he was surrounded and beaten by five inmates. The scene was captured by CCTV cameras. In poor condition, he was taken to another yard in the prison while waiting for help.
On Thursday, Police Commissioner Rampersad Sooroojebally held a meeting with prison officials at the Central Barracks. Several senior police and prison officials reviewed the events of Tuesday. According to sources, several elements of mismanagement were observed, particularly regarding the timing of alerts to emergency services and the police.
The suspension of two guards on duty on Tuesday afternoon and their failures to send Andy Selmour to the hospital despite the prison doctor's recommendation were discussed. The two guards, suspended since Wednesday during the internal investigation, allegedly decided not to transfer the injured inmate who had been forced to swallow soaked wire, according to the CCTV footage.
Investigators will analyze the camera images. A key point concerns the period between 4:50 PM, when Andy Selmour was placed in a cell in the Medical Ward, and 6:20 PM, when he reportedly took his last breaths. During these 90 minutes, he was left without medical assistance despite evident signs of distress.
