Vasquez family denounces police, demands compensation

Posted: Sunday, June 9, 2019. 11:36 am CST.

By Aaron Humes: The family of Nestor Vasquez Jr., the detainee brutally beaten in the Queen Street Police Station detention cell by Collin Francis a few days ago, and now reported dead, is not letting the police off the hook despite the swift interdiction of the officers involved.

Police are yet to confirm Vasquez’s death as of this writing.

In a statement released by attorney Leslie Mendez, the family states that police were aware that both Francis and Vasquez, who was detained for common assault, suffered mental health issues. Francis was due in court to be charged for the attack on Nurse Augustina Elijio last Tuesday at the Port Loyola Health Clinic on Fabers’ Road, in which he is accused of stabbing her multiple times, causing serious injuries.

Vasquez’s family concludes that the police’s decision to place the men together was more than “merely an act of negligence,” as described by Police Commissioner Chester Williams.

The statement by the family charges that “Rather, this was a deliberate and sadistic act,” and left Vasquez vulnerable to Francis’ “violent instability.”

The family concludes that they have reserved their legal rights but are willing to listen to any offers of compensation from the Department for the ordeal of their relative.

Police Sergeant Shawn Walton, the executive duty officer, and Constables Edward Pitterson and Bernard Cayetano face disciplinary charges and are on interdiction.

As for Francis, he is expected to face upgraded charges.

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