Slain detective’s mom dies without answers about his death

The mother of the detective sergeant who, along with a civilian, was shot and killed in Campden Park on April 26, 2020 has died without answers about his death.

Coleen Elma Bobb, the mother of detective Sergeant Philbert Chambers died on July 11, her children have announced on Facebook.

“The whole process was a bit depressing for her,” one of Bobb’s children told iWitness News of the inquiry into her son’s death.

The death of the 30-year-old detective and that of civilian Gleason Lewis, 36, both of whom were shot and killed at a house in Campden Park, were the subject of a coroner’s inquest, which was discontinued in March.

Police have said that they shot and killed Lewis after he shot and killed Chambers, who was among a party of officers attempting to execute a search warrant at Lewis’ home.

The inquest will have to start afresh because then District 1 Coroner, Rickie Burnett has been appointed a judge.

On March 3, Burnett summoned the families of Chambers and Lewis to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court and announced to them that the inquest would have to begin anew.

The inquest had begun some months earlier and the proceeding had been far advanced but had been adjourned repeatedly after a member of the five-member jury fell ill and had been on extended sick leave.

Burnett apologised to Chambers’ family, who he said he understood was only informed of the sitting of the inquest that very morning.

Burnett said he had taken steps to inform both families but had gotten information that the Chambers family had received very short notice.

He apologised on behalf of the Department of the Magistracy, adding that the late information was no fault of his.

Burnett said information had reached him some time earlier that a member of the jury was not well and had been on extended sick leave for a period of time and was unable to resume her duties as a juror.

“Discussions were held as to whether we can continue with four members and based on the interpretation of the statute, it was determined that that was not possible,” Burnett said.

“So, we have that problem — that major, major problem,” he told the families, adding that he was also scheduled to proceed on vacation leave and was unlikely to resume duties as the coroner.

He told the sitting that he had discussed the matter of the inquest with Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne, who is the administrative head of the magistracy.

“I am sure that steps will be taken to make sure that this inquest will be disposed of by a coroner,” Burnett said, adding that he has taken the opportunity to call the families and inform the jury as well of the development.

Burnett said that because he was unsure of when the juror would be available and because he might not hold the post of coroner, he had to discharge the jury.

He said that in doing so, another coroner could take over and he or she would decide how to manage the process.

“I understand the feelings of the families in this matter but these things are outside of our control,” Burnett said, adding that sickness is unpredictable.

Burnett then asked both the Chambers and Lewis families if they had anything to say.

Glasley Lewis, Gleason’s father, took to the dock and told the coroner his lawyer Kay Bacchus-Baptiste had asked him to remind the coroner to make the notes of evidence of the proceeding available to her.

“I said I will look into it. I did not say I will do it. If it can be done, I will do it. If it cannot be done, I will tell her it cannot be done,” Burnett said.

Chambers’ mother, speaking on behalf of her family, told the court she understood the development in the inquest.

“It is just the nature of life. We can’t predict these things,” Burnett said and thanked the families for attending.

“I am sure that the police and the department will be in touch with the family to tell you when this inquest will resume or when it will commence.”

He also thanked the jury, on behalf of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, for their participation in the process and expressed hope that if they are summoned again, they will respond and serve their nation.

This was the second coroner’s jury that Burnett discharged on that day.

Earlier, he discharged the jury in the inquest touching and concerning the death of Cjea Weekes, without any evidence being given.

Weekes, an 18-year-old motorcyclist, of Argyle, died at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital on Feb. 6, 2022, four days after suffering paralysing injuries while police in an SUV pursued him from Questelles to Twenty Hill as he rode his motorcycle.

Burnett said that by discharging the jury, a new coroner would better decide whether to hear the matter alone or to empanel a jury to hear the evidence.