Top cop assigned to probe threats against Public Defender’s Office

Death threats to a member of the Public Defender's Office are being treated with the highest priority.

This is the commitment of the Police Commissioner, who has instructed Assistant Commissioner of Police Les Green to investigate the matter.

The Police High Command said the move was made after he received the information about the threat late Wednesday night.

Public Defender Earl Witter wrote to the Prime Minister, the National Security Minister, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Wednesday citing a death threat, which was received in a phone call to the office.

In his letter, Mr. Witter claimed that a menacing phone call was made to his office, shortly after three o'clock, Wednesday afternoon, by a male caller, who did not identify himself.

The caller threatened to kill the investigator, if he showed up at the Spanish Town police lockup, as part of investigation being conducted on the state of police lock ups.

The male caller also demanded that the Office of the Public Defender, stay away from inspecting police lock ups.

In his letter, Mr. Witter states that he is taking appropriate measures, to address concerns for personal safety among his staff.