00:00The police investigation into Sunday's deadly boating accident is now focusing
00:04on whether any criminal offenses were committed. Police Commissioner Alistair Covaro says they are
00:11still in the process of gathering witness statements from the incident. He says the
00:15case file will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will determine whether
00:21any criminal charges should arise from the accident. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard is looking
00:26into reports that a sixth person may still be unaccounted for. Renessa Cutting reports.
00:34Information reaching investigators early this morning indicates that a sixth person may be
00:40missing following Sunday's boating accident of Shagoramas. The individual has been identified
00:46as Jaheim Richards. According to reports, one of the survivors who was recently discharged
00:52from hospital told investigators that Richards accompanied Titus Augustine, who remains missing,
00:59to the party and was aboard the vessel when the incident occurred. Richards' family has since
01:05confirmed that he had stopped by a cousin and asked to borrow clothing to go down the islands.
01:11The Coast Guard says it is aware of the reports and is attempting to verify the information.
01:17Meantime, Police Commissioner Alistair Covaro says the Director of Public Prosecutions will determine
01:23whether there are any criminal charges arising out of the incident.
01:28The only way that we'll be able to make that determination is when we have gathered all the
01:32evidence and we take it to that August body called the Director, Office of the Director of Public
01:39Prosecutions, and he will be able to guide, advise and pronounce on whether or not criminality was
01:45involved. So I don't want to presume that the DPP may make a judgment that doesn't go with what
01:54we think at this point in time. On Tuesday, investigating officers confirmed that they are
01:59in the process of recording witness statements. Meantime, the Commissioner is asking anyone with
02:04evidence to come forward. Is there any person who is in custody or is a person of interest in this
02:12matter at this time? So this is a fact-finding, evidence-gathering exercise at this point in
02:20time. And it will be a little bit premature without evidence. And thus, I said in my opening
02:27salvo, if anyone has any video, evidence, anything whatsoever to guide the police to putting together
02:36the pieces of the puzzle, I urge you to come forward. When we get that information, then
02:42the police will be able to act in accordance with the law.
02:46So that in the absence of video, are the statements of witnesses not sufficient?
02:54They are sufficient. And I see witness giving you a statement. That's golden.
02:59The Commissioner is reiterating the TTPS's commitment to a thorough, unbiased investigative process.
03:07Vanessa Cutting, TV6 News.
