Following his arrest during a bid to cross over to Suriname, the prime suspect in the killing of Dr Colin Roach has reportedly told investigators he struck the now dead man to the head after he made unwanted sexual advances towards him.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed to Stabroek News that 25-year-old Hilton Oliver Junior Franklin was arrested by the police in Berbice yesterday morning. Blanhum also confirmed the arrest of another suspect, identified as 18-year-old Lenrick Mosai Byass, who allegedly helped Franklin to rob the doctor after he was killed.
While the alleged accomplice has claimed that they went to the clinic with the intention of robbing Roach, Franklin has denied it.
In a brief statement yesterday morning, the Guy-ana Police Force (GPF) said acting on intelligence received, ranks from Region Six and the Crimi-nal Investigation Department’s Major Crimes Unit carried out an operation in Berbice during which Franklin was apprehended.
At the time, Franklin was at the “back track” route, attempting to flee to Suriname.
Stabroek News was reliably informed that Franklin was taken into police custody and during questioning he reported provided investigators with information as to what transpired prior to Roach’s death.
Police sources confirmed that Franklin admitted that he fatally struck Roach to his head after the man reportedly made sexual advances to him.
Apart from Franklin and Byass, two of Roach’s employees are in police custody. The police are likely to seek an extension to further detain the workers over the weekend. The employees, one of whom lives in the same building where Roach’s office is situated, are accused of assisting Franklin to “sanitize” the crime scene and “wipe away” traces of fingerprints.
One of the employees allegedly removed the DVR from the doctor’s office.
Police were up to last night looking for one other person—a woman who allegedly aided Franklin in his bid to escape.
Stabroek News was informed that Franklin told investigators that after he arrived at Roach’s office, they started to drink.
About two hours after, this newspaper was told that Roach sent Byass to purchase more alcohol.
At this point, the employee who was present left and went downstairs, leaving Franklin and Roach together.
Franklin reportedly told police that Roach invited him to the examination room, where he made sexual advances towards him.
He said the doctor’s pants were unbuckled and pulled down to his knees.
Franklin further told investigators that he tried to walk away and Roach pushed him to the bed and he fell to the ground.
He said he saw a “metal bar” which he picked up and dealt Roach two blows to his head.
Shortly after, Franklin added, Byass returned and he told him what transpired.
Robbery
Hours after Franklin’s was held, the police arrested Byass at his workplace around midday yesterday.
The two men worked together at the call centre where Byass is currently employed.
Stabroek News was reliably informed that during questioning, Byass told the police that Franklin contacted him and told him that he frequented Roach’s office and noticed that he would have large amounts of cash on hand.
As a result, Byass said, they planned to rob him.
Providing detectives with his account of what transpired, Byass explained that Franklin picked him up in his car on Tuesday and they journeyed to Water Street, Georgetown where they parked the vehicle.
He said he and Franklin then boarded a taxi and travelled to Roach’s clinic, where the doctor greeted them.
Byass further told investigators that he and Franklin joined Roach’s vehicle and he drove them to a spot on Regent Street, Georgetown, where they purchased alcohol before returning to the clinic to drink.
Sometime after, Byass further alleged that Roach gave him some cash and asked him to go to a nearby shop and purchase some Guinness.
Upon his return, Byass said he saw Roach lying on the ground with a wound to his head. He appeared to be dead.
Byass alleges that he asked Franklin what happened and the man related his account.
This newspaper was told that at this stage Byass admitted that he and Franklin relieved Roach of two rings and US$600.
He further told the police that Franklin unplugged the DVR and a nearby camera from the doctor’s office. Byass said they also sanitised the scene to ensure no evidence was left behind.
This include clearing the bottles which they were drinking from.
Byass further related to the police that he and Franklin left the scene together in Roach’s vehicle.
He said that they first proceeded to Water Street, Georgetown, where they secured some of the liquor from the drinking session in Franklin’s vehicle.
After that, he said they journeyed over the Demerara Harbour Bridge during which time they discard the murder weapon, the camera, the bottles and glasses in the river.
Once they crossed the bridge, Byass said he exited the vehicle and went home. He said Franklin went in the opposite direction.
The following day, Bypass said he returned to Water Street, where he changed the US currency. At the time of his arrest Byass was found in possession of $42,000 cash.
Franklin was found in possession of the two rings, which were stolen from Roach and US$200. The rings were concealed in his crotch.
Autopsy
An autopsy yesterday revealed that Roach died as a result of multiple blunt trauma to the head.
Roach’s dead body was discovered at his Kingston, Georgetown International Medical Clinic around 22.30 hrs on Tuesday.
Roach was well-known in the medical fraternity for his contributions in his field.
He previously worked as the Director of the National Public Health Laboratory and was a Consultant to the United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
He was also a former Chairman of the National Sports Commission. He will be laid to rest today.
