Coroner’s Inquest into policeman and civilian’s death starts afresh

The Coroner’s Inquest into the deaths of Sergeant of Police, Philbert Chambers, and Campden Park resident, Gleason Lewis, has restarted with a new magistrate.

Sergeant Chambers, 30, was killed in the line of duty on April 26, 2020, while trying to serve a warrant to search for a firearm at Lewis’ Campen Park home. Lewis,36, died in the same incident while Police Constable 700 Verrol Sam was shot, but survived.

A Coroner’s Inquest was ordered after the shooting and, in 2022, then District One Coroner, Magistrate Rickie Burnett, began the process along with a five-member jury, but had to stop in March, 2023, after one of the jurors fell ill.

Magistrate Burnett explained back then that based on the statute, the inquest could not continue without the full panel of jurors.

The procedure was eventually ordered restarted after the magistrate went on leave and later took up another posting which made him ineligible to continue the process he had started.

The Coroner’s Inquest is being done this time around by recently appointed magistrate, Kawana Jacobs.

Police claim that they shot and killed Lewis, who they alleged shot and killed Sergeant Chambers, and injured Constable Sam.

However, some family members of both deceased men are questioning certain things being offered by the police and other authorities, including a comment by Minister of National Security, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, made back in June, 2020 stating that Sergeant Chambers was killed by “a man who is now deceased.”

The Prime Minister’s comment was made before the start of the inquest, and on the heels of that mention, in certain quarters, allegations were made that Sergeant Chambers was killed by friendly fire.

Last Monday, Fitzborne Chambers, the deceased policeman’s brother said he is “patiently” awaiting the findings of the coroner’s inquest, and the family is “very interested” in seeing the outcome.

He said they were distraught when they heard the process had to be restarted with a new magistrate and the stress took a negative toll on his and Sergeant Chambers’ mother, Coleen Elma Bobb, who died on July 11, 2023 without answers in relation to the shooting.

“From what I understand certain people who gave evidence with Magistrate Burnett are not giving evidence this time. At one point the court accepted me as an expert witness but not now,” Chambers, a former police officer who left the Force seven years ago said.

He is also reserving any comments for after the verdict is delivered.

Sergeant Chambers, at the time of his death was an 11-year member of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines (RSVGPF), having enlisted on December 6, 2008. He was attached to the Questelles Police Station at the time of his death.