Photo: Derrick Uh, deceased
Two of four police officers held responsible for the death of Derrick Uh are free of all charges, while the other two were released on bail.
by Charles Gladden
COROZAL, Fri. June 30, 2023
Last Wednesday, June 28, in the Corozal Magistrate’s Court, manslaughter by negligence charges were dropped for two of four police officers who were held responsible for the death of 20-year-old Derrick Uh of Corozal District last August.
The four officers who appeared in court before Magistrate Sharmaine Gillett to face those manslaughter by negligence charges were: Inspector Isaias Sanchez, Sergeant Rosario Romero, and PCs Errol Peralta and Alrick Borland. While they were in court, however, the prosecutor, Corporal Jorge Ayala, indicated that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution had ordered that the charges be withdrawn from Sanchez, who appeared unrepresented, and Romero, who had retained the counsel of attorney Hurl Hamilton.
No plea was taken from the other two officers; however, after submissions by atorney Norman Rodriguez, who represented Peralta, and attorney Hurl Hamilton, who represented Borland, Magistrate Gillett granted bail of $10,000 and two sureties to both Peralta and Borland, which they met.
Uh, who was detained by officers during last year’s San Joaquin Fiesta after he reportedly inappropriately touched a female while under the influence of alcohol, had been placed inside a prison van and transported to the Corozal Police Station, but the officers who transported Uh to the compound of the police station, allegedly forgot about him and left him inside. It is believed that he died about 4 to 5 hours later of heatstroke after the van’s engine had been turned off, thus inactivating the AC. He was later discovered by another police officer 13 hours after the van had been parked, nude and with blisters covering his entire body.
Initially, fingers had been pointed at six officers whom it was believed were involved, but only four were arrested and charged.
The case was adjourned for July 14, 2023.