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The deceased, Kevin Slauter. (iWN photo)
The deceased, Kevin Slauter. (iWN photo)
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A British man who has been on remand awaiting sentence for on three marijuana charges died in hospital in St. Vincent on Saturday after undergoing surgery.

A well-placed source told iWitness News that health care professionals performed a surgery on Kevin Slauter, a 57-year-old boat captain, after he reportedly swallowed his dentures and sliced his wrist some time ago.

The man, reportedly, had expressed frustration at not having been sentenced almost six months after he had pleaded guilty to the drug charges.

On June 14, at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, the prosecution accepted guilty pleas from Slauter on three of four ganja charges but said they would proceed against his co-accused, a Vincentian and a Grenadian.

Slauter had pleaded guilty to a charge that on June 13, at Richmond, he had in his possession 183,416 grammes (404lbs) of cannabis.

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He also pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of the marijuana for the purpose of drug trafficking, and attempting to export the drug.

Slauter, however, pleaded not guilty to a charge that he conspired with others to export the drug.

The other accused men, Vincentian Kenroy Edwards, a 31-year-old chauffeur, of Rose Bank, and Javid Chetram, a 23-year-old sailor, of Grenada, pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The Crown had indicated its intention to proceed against the other accused men and asked that the case be transferred to the Serious Offences Court.

The court denied bail to Chetram after the proseuction objected, noting that he is a non-national.

Edwards was granted EC$15,000 with one surety.

The men were being represented by counsel Grant Connell.

7 replies on “British prisoner dies in St. Vincent after undergoing surgery”

  1. Rawlston Pompey says:

    LANGUISHING TO KNOW IT – DYING TO KNOW FATE – DEAD NOT KNOWING IT

    Most ridiculous.

    Here it is, ‘…a self-convicted British national;

    (a) ‘…Conscious of his ‘…Punitive Fate;

    (b) …Anxious to face his punishment;

    (c) …Pleaded guilty to the drug-related charges;

    (d) …Languishing in jail (6 months) to know his Fate; and out of his anxieties, frustration and misery,

    (e) ….Dead Not Knowing it.’

    This not only seems an indictment upon the Justice system, but also clear case of ‘…Dereliction of Magisterial Duties.’

    Apart from a ‘…Coroner’s Inquest,’ (recusing the adjudicating Magistrate), to get all the answers, this most certainly necessitates a ‘…Public Inquiry.’

  2. The court sometimes have to look at the broader picture in achieving the overall objectives in these types of offenses. He pleaded guilty for 3 and not guilty for one, why didn’t they just fine him in a given time for those 3 and then grant him bail for the not guilty one.

    This is a win win scenario here for the system , even if he obsconds after surrendering his travel documents. This might have been a reasonable sum of money entered into the government’s coffers instead of now being scrutinized for human rights infringements and other numerous criticisms from the international community. Just my humble opinion .

  3. Any life is a loss, he wasn’t a rapist or murderer, he was another instance of being failed by SVG’s Court and Prison system. A white man locked up with a lot of black men, he probably went to hell and back.

    Killed by the System, or lack thereof.

  4. So sad that frustration and depression had pushed him to the point where he lost his sanity and was forced to take his own Life but God knows best and may his situation be A red light for all persons charged witj offences
    Im so sorry he broke before sentencing which might of been lengthy or maybe for his guilty plee only time served while on remand
    And since he had attempted suicide before shouldn’t measures have been put in place to minimise the Risk of him succeeding while in custody

  5. The man committed a crime ( pled guilty) and unfortunately again use poor judgement. FOUR HUNDRED pounds of weeds is no small crime..So I am to understand he should not be held accountable for his actions? Doesn’t our system always do this and deduct time served on remand from the custodial sentence?

    There are mentally unstable persons with a history and diagnosis of mental disease
    ‘ languishing ‘ in the prison being abuse and not getting the required treatment, while on remand. Where is the outrage/injustice? Or is it because this one is FOREIGN and WHITE so we must give him special attention and privelege.

    Condolences to his family.

  6. Why he was not sent to over seas for treatment as most politician do. I feel a sense of racial discrimination. Discrimination is not confined to colour.

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