Prisoner refuses food for months, dies in hospital

The death of murder accused and ex-police officer Kensworth Browne, who had reportedly been refusing all meals while in prison, will be investigated, Commissioner of Police Wendel Robinson told OBSERVER media.
Speaking exclusively to our news organisation, Robinson said, “Every unnatural death requires an inquiry of one form or another, even if it means a fact-finding inquiry.”
He said the circumstances prior to the death of the 56-year-old inmate were known. The probe is something that starts right away.
Robinson added, “I do not suppose this death however, will pose much of an issue for the police or a coroner in the circumstances.”
Browne was arrested in December 2016 after his wife was battered to death in their house in Swetes that month. He was later charged with murder and while on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison, he attempted to take his life on at least two occasions, prison sources confirmed.
Those sources, who are not authorised to speak to the media, said he was on suicide watch as a result of the incidents and he eventually began refusing to eat.
The situation concerned family, friends, his lawyer Lawrence Daniel and prison officials. A court order was later issued, mandating that the prisoner be force-fed.
His lawyer confirmed this, adding that since November 24, Browne had been hospitalised but nothing changed about his behaviour and he became more ill.
The police commissioner said it was clear that the accused was “overwhelmed” by his circumstances.
“I believe he was overwhelmed over the months and guilt [took] a toll on him; having regard to the fact that it stemmed from what may have been ongoing domestic violence. However, be that as it may, this appears to be a case of virtual suicide in another form,” he said.
Browne’s case was pending committal in the All Saints Magistrates Court to determine whether he would stand trial in the High Court for the murder of his 53-year-old wife.