ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Police Commissioner Atlee Patrick Rodney has hinted at the potential of overseas investigators helping within the investigation into the loss of life of the unbiased legislator, Asot Michael, whose physique was present in a pool of blood by his maid at his Dry Hill Residence on the outskirts of the capital on Tuesday morning.
Rodney informed a information convention that Michael, 54, who served as a minister in earlier administrations of the Gaston Browne administration, had at the least one main stab wound to the chest however that the investigations had been within the early phases to find out the reason for loss of life.
“It’s a type of unhappy events now we have to deal with as investigators…we had the decision early this morning that he was discovered unresponsive, we responded shortly, and because the physician has simply confirmed he has handed away,” Rodney informed reporters close to the scene of the homicide. Watch video
“There are some accidents on the physique, which now opens up a murder investigation because the circumstances that led to the accidents. We have no idea what occurred, however we’ll use all of the sources now we have regionally, regionally, and internationally.
“I can be talking with my regional companions, I can be talking with my worldwide companions, and no matter sources we want, we’ll use every thing to deal with such a critical crime. It’s a heinous crime whenever you see that kind of damage and someone mendacity in that situation,” the highest cop informed reporters.
Rodney appealed to eyewitnesses and public members to come back ahead and help within the investigation, urging them to “respect the privateness of the household, particularly with the kind of info they’re going to share.”
‘Concurrently, we’re asking anybody with info …to step ahead. It is a nationwide occasion wherein everyone has an element to play, and we look ahead to each citizen enjoying their half in fixing this matter”.
Rodney stated Michael has been a legislator and former authorities minister who “has assisted many individuals in Antigua and past.”
He stated he has spoken to the household, and the investigators have additionally spoken to the “traumatized” maid who discovered the physique.
He stated it was too early to point whether or not there had been a pressured entry into the home.
‘The investigators are on the scene … different operational officers help them, and at this stage, we’ll simply collect as a lot info,” he stated, noting that in a while Tuesday, the police could have a case convention to find out what proof they’d have collected.
Michael, the Member of Parliament for St Peter, contested the final basic election on January 18, 2023, as an unbiased candidate after he fell out with the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Get together (ABLP).
He started his political profession 1995 because the Particular Administrative Assistant to then-Prime Minister Lester Chook and was finally appointed Chook’s Chief of Employees in 1997. In 199, he was appointed a authorities senator and Minister of State within the workplace of the Prime Minister, overseeing tasks for Public Works, Communications, Insurance coverage, Power, and St. John’s Growth Company.
He continued in that position till 2001, when he grew to become a full minister accountable for these portfolios, and continued till 2003. He was additionally appointed Junior Minister of Finance till 2003.
He was first elected to the Home of Representatives for the constituency of Saint Peter in 2004, and on 23 October 2017, he was detained at Heathrow Airport whereas in transit to a convention in France, being accused of getting requested bribes from a British investor in 2016
Whereas being interviewed by U.Okay. authorities, Prime Minister Browne eliminated him as Minister of Tourism, Financial Growth, Funding and Power regardless of Michael denying any wrongdoing.
In 2018, British investor Peter Virdee accused Michael of involvement in a bribery scheme. Michael denied soliciting bribes and stated the unique detention was for an interview with police.
Obtain video – Police Commissioner Atlee Patrick Rodney
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