Kevin Kelly is known on the stage and in the streets as Bocco-T. But tonight Kelly feels more like T-Pain. That’s because the 34 year old claims he was beaten severely by police following a visit to the Queen Street Police Station. Kelly has been going to court for a drug possession case for over a year, and he thought it was set for a final hearing on April twenty third. But on Friday night the police picked him up and informed him, the case had been heard that morning – making him wanted by a bench warrant.
He was taken to the Queen Street Police Station where Kelly claims he was attacked by two police officers and by the time it was all over he claims they had dislocated his left shoulder.
Kevin Kelly, Alleges Police Brutality
“The police came and told me I am under arrest because we have something about you. When I got to station it was nothing. The police said to go home and thing. I started to walk out and go home. On my way home two more policemen came and told me I was wanted. I told them I just came from the station and when I got back to the station, I had my money and thing and my property. I didn’t even sign for them because I got to the station, they just whapped me across my chest. My whole shoulder is out of its socket and my belly is supposed to be bruised. Now if you set a trial for me right here on the 23rd which is Wednesday, how will you have police doing all of this to me on Friday.
Even if I don’t show up for the case, Kevin Kelly, they would call my name three times at court on Friday morning. After the judge called my name, they would say, ‘no appearance,’ and put a bench warrant for me and, ‘we could find him for two o’clock.’ They could have sent me a message or something. I was on the corner trying to hustle and thing for my daughter and my peoples and I wasn’t doing any crime. The police already that set on me that when they pick me up, they take me to jail. It is not fair.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
So as far as you Kevin, this case is not to be heard until the 23rd?
Kevin Kelly,
“The 23rd of the 4th (month) 2008. I wrote it here on the disclosure because I wrote it here and ticked off little particulars I knew I could win my case with. So I wasn’t supposed to go to court. I have no other case except this case. I wasn’t supposed to go to court none at all until they call me the 23rd. Now if I lose my case, they could fine $10,000 for drug trafficking if that is the case. Give me time to pay, I am a Belizean.
I was cooperating and when I got into the station they started to beat me up and thing. I didn’t have anything else to do but try to get out of it. I had to run out of there. Even if you got me for a bench warrant and the case has been tried, you are supposed to lock me down. I didn’t sign for any of my particulars, I don’t know how much money they have for me. My bank card and everything is at the station. This is how I have to go around.
I have been going to this case for a year and change. A year and change since this case came on the news and I have been going to court. I haven’t missed a court date because I know what will happen when you miss a court date. I have been in this thing long so something has to be wrong if you tell me my case was tried on the 18th and you give me a disclosure which says the 23rd.”
Kelly says he is fearful that if he does hand himself in to the police, that they will hurt him. Meanwhile a check with the Magistrate’s Court shows that indeed Kevin Kelly was scheduled to appear in court on Friday, April eighteenth. But because he failed to show up, the case was tried ex parte and he was found guilty.
