Why Wasn’t PC Tevin Aranda Tested To See If He Was Intoxicated?
Tevin Aranda
PC Tevin Aranda was charged with manslaughter for the killing of Mario Vernon this past weekend. The Punta Gorda community is crying foul; they say that charge should have been murder. As we reported this week, Police said that Vernon was carrying a firearm and Aranda fired the shot fearing for his life. Since the fatal shootings, there have been a number of reports about what transpired, including that Vernon was not armed. An internal investigation is ongoing in the officer-involved killing. Tonight we find out that the Aranda was not tested to determine if he was under the influence of alcohol. Here’s what ACP Myvett told the media about the matter:
Mario Vernon
Reporter
“How would you respond to the community’s complaint that manslaughter is not enough; that it was a murder?”
ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch
“Well, first we can only go by the evidence we have and that was what was presented; however, the investigation is still an ongoing investigation.”
Reporter
“Are you all of the opinion that because the charge of manslaughter suggests that there was no intent to shoot the man in his head and kill him?”
Joseph Myvett
ACP Joseph Myvett
“No, that is not what manslaughter is saying; it is just that there was not the intention to kill. That is what the difference is between a charge of manslaughter and a charge of murder – someone acting in self defense.”
Reporter
“Another live issue – is that the gun was planted on Mister Vernon after the murder and that there was in fact a recording of no gun on him and police officers destroyed it?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“Well, I can tell you that those allegations are brought to us and those allegations are being investigated by the P.S.B.; by Mister Williams himself who remains on the ground. I believe yesterday he was still in Punta Gorda.”
Andrea Polanco
“Sir, there were also allegations that this cop was drinking earlier that night – that he may have been under the influence of alcohol. I know the police had said that he was on duty. But was there any test done to determine if he was under the influence?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“I don’t think any was done because that can only be done within a certain hours, otherwise it will be useless. I know for certain that the officer was indeed working that night; that is a fact.”
Andrea Polanco
“Is there any reason why it wasn’t done?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“I do not know because the officers who responded to the scene were those from PG – who initially started the investigation before we actually got involved.”
Andrea Polanco
“So, when these kinds of things happen – is there a standard as to what happens? Should they have taken a sample for test?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“Well, if the investigator on the ground had seen him in that condition, it would have been prudent that he does take him to get a sample to determine whether or not he was under the influence of alcohol.”
Andrea Polanco
“So, it appears then that they didn’t feel that that was necessary?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“I would think so.”
