The Police reported Mr. Gavin Hapgood, a US citizen, who was arrested and charged with the manslaughter of Kenny Michel, was denied bail by the Magistrate court on Wednesday, morning April 17th, 2019.
The Police further reported that the accused was remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison to return to court on Thursday, August 22nd, 2019.
However, The Anguillian was informed by a credible source that on the same day, Wednesday afternoon, the accused, representative by his Legal Counsel, filed an application for bail for a cash bond in the High Court. The Judge granted him bail in the sum of $ 200,000 EC.
The Death Certificate of K. Mitchel age 27 stated causes of death was due to prone restraint, positional asphyxia and blunt force trauma to the head, neck, and torso.
Mr. Hapgood was on vacation with his family in Anguilla staying at a hotel in the West End of the island and Mr. Mitchel was an employee of the same hotel.
Mr. Hapgood who is a financial advisor in New York, legal representative Mr. Thomas Astaphan, QC assured the court stated, ” he has every intention to return to Anguilla to clear his name.”
The Police Inspector told the court the prosecution had no objection to bail, after twenty-five minutes of adjournment the Magistrate Keithley Benjamin, stated “the charge of manslaughter is a serious offence”, he noted, ” that the court has a discretion on the matter and while they may be good reason for bail to be granted, the court has to balance the interest of the person charged, the public interest and the interest of justice.” – quoted source Radio Anguilla
We await more details.
