In the wake of the gruesome murders of Joel and Isaiah Henry, the family continues to experience hostility at the hands of the police.
Yesterday, attorney at law, Nigel Hughes, who is representing the interests of the Henrys, stated, “You are the brother of Joel Henry who was slaughtered in a most heinous manner.
“Over three months have passed without any meaningful advance of the investigation into the ghastly crime. You have zero confidence in the police. You are angry with them for treating your brother’s murder with scant regard.
“There have been protests and arrests, slothfulness, police inaction and a government clearly reluctant to seek or accept competent independent, international assistance.
“Through the efforts of the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), attorneys and well-wishers, an international expert comes to Guyana on a fact-finding mission.
“He meets with the minister and police hierarchy who clearly refuse to accept his assistance or provide the documents required for him to meaningfully assist in the investigation. Instead they launch into a political tirade.
“The international expert does a presentation at a famous church in Georgetown to which the public and media are invited.
“You, your mother and other relatives travel from your West Coast Berbice home to the event. After the event concludes you begin to make your way back home.
“Just as you are settling into your journey you encounter a police road block on the lower East Coast Demerara, outside the Sprendaam Police Station.
“You are not speeding. You are not driving dangerously or recklessly. You show no signs of being under the influence of alcohol. You are not acting suspiciously. Police, without any reasonable cause, nonetheless ask you to produce your driver’s license.
“You realise that in the haste to attend the event you forgot your license at home. You explain this to the officer and produce a photograph of your valid license. You explain to the police who you are, who you passengers are and where you are coming from.
“Any sane, sensible and compassionate officer will simply wave you on your way and urge you to continue driving safely. They may even express regret that the investigation into your brother’s murder has not yet concluded.
Instead you are incited, mocked, harassed, detained and assaulted.
And as the news continued, one commentator reported that just when you thought the Henry family had endured enough, this happens.
The report continued that while the Henry family was returning home after attending Director of the Argentine Team of Forensic Anthropology (EAAF) Dr. Luis Fondebrider’s presentation the family members were stopped at Sparendaam police station.
Colwyn Henry who was driving was unable to produce his driver’s licence because he had forgotten it at home in the rush to get to Brickdam Cathedral. He produced a photograph of his licence which was in the phone which showed that it was valid until April 2021.
He was arrested placed in leg irons and assaulted by six police officers. The images of the injuries sustained are visible in the pictures
Despite the intervention of his lawyers and GHRA he remains injured and in custody. Gail Johnson, mother of Joel Henry was also arrested. She fainted twice while in custody.
