Prison officer dies after being struck on head

Prison officer Grafton Cordice is dead.

He died yesterday morning at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, at about 9 a.m., two weeks after being taken off life support.

On November 23, 2014 at Fairbaine Pasture, it is alleged that Harold Cordice, a nephew of the deceased, pelted a rock at Grafton, cracking open his skull, {{more}}following an altercation.

Harold was subsequently charged with the attempted murder of his uncle and was remanded.

Bail was denied for Harold, an amputee, pending medical reports on his uncle.

However, when Harold appeared at the Serious Offences Court yesterday, Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias informed Harold that his uncle had passed and the issue of bail would not be visited again.

Senior prosecutor Adolphus Delpesche also informed him that that next time he appears in court, a more serious charge would be laid against him.

When contacted, acting superintendent of prisons Brenton Charles said the prison staff is in sombre mood on hearing that one of their co-workers had died.

“It shocked us really that he stayed this long. Most people thought he would have gone a little bit earlier, but after staying this long, we thought he might have pulled through, but we weren’t really hanging our hats too high because of the extent of his injuries,” Charles stated.

Charles further stated that Cordice, who served at the institution for approximately 32 years, gave service of distinction.

“He was somebody that you could count on, especially in his younger years. He gave really good service to the institution. At the end of the day, we are all going to miss him,” Charles added.

“He was one of those persons who was instrumental in promoting the prison concerts. He had a keen interest in rehabilitation and a touch for that second chance that people yearn for,” Charles added.(KW)