Warrant issued for ‘dead man’

A bench warrant was issued for a Corporate Area man who is believed to be deceased.

The man, Fitzroy Hanson, did not appear in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court to answer to allegedly breaching the Main Road Act. It is alleged that Hanson was seen by police officers obstructing the free flow of traffic by seeking passengers. However, the investigator informed Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell that he was informed that Hanson's body was being stored at a local morgue.

A bench warrant is normally issued when an individual fails to follow the rules of the court, or fails to comply with a court order.

Hanson is said to be epileptic and suffered from seizures. Burrell then instructed the investigator to attend the morgue and make a further statement.

"You need to go to the morgue and look to see that the deceased man is indeed there. Then you will make a further statement for the prosecutor to put on the files here. But I still have a warrant to issue, next thing he is still alive," the senior jurist noted. The execution of the warrant was stayed until November 20, when the matter is set for mention.

If Hanson is deemed to be alive, the staying of the warrant means he has another chance to appear in court voluntarily. However, if he misses the court date again, the judge may issue a warrant for his arrest.