Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer
OCHO RIOS
HELP IS coming for Gladstone Ricketts, the St. Ann man who was lost in prison system for 28 years on a murder charge and who was finally set free on Friday.
He was charged with killing his brother in 1975 and last appeared in court in November of that same year when a psychiatric evaluation declared him unfit to plead. He then became lost in prison and was not found until recently.
Being neglected for so long by both his relatives and prison authorities, Ricketts on Thursday found himself with nowhere to live and no money in his pocket when his case was dismissed, a situation which led the judge to delay his release by one day.
Ricketts is expected to be in his own home within the next three weeks with help being provided through relatives, the St. Ann Parish Council, the Independent Jamaica Council for Human Rights and other agencies. In the meantime, he has found temporary accommodation at the St. Ann Infirmary.
CROWN FAILED TO PRESENT CASE
Ricketts, now about 68 years old of Thatchfield near Bamboo in St. Ann, was acquitted of the charge on Thursday in the St. Ann Circuit Court, after the Crown failed to present a case against him.
However, trial judge Justice Gloria Smith decided against releasing him before a proper place of abode could be found, after the court was informed that the man had nowhere to go.
The court, on Thursday, failed in its effort to get Ricketts, who appears to be of unsound mind, accepted as an inmate of the St. Ann Infirmary. But news came on Friday from Secretary Manager of the St. Ann Parish Council, Dorothy Delgado, that the Council had decided to accept him at the infirmary while arrangements are being made to get him his own home.
Mrs. Delgado, who was summoned before the court by Justice Smith to find out the Council's position regarding the release of Ricketts to the infirmary, said matters of this nature, especially involving a murder accused, cannot be dealt with within such a short period because important things such as a psychiatric evaluation have to be done to determine the individual's present state of mind and whether he will pose any threat to the other inmates at the institution.
Mrs. Delgado said the Council was committed to provide Ricketts with food and clothing through the Poor Relief Department.
After he was discharged by the court on Friday, the feeble-looking Ricketts was taken away from the courtroom by a police Corporal and later transported to the infirmary, just over three kilometres away, where he reportedly spent a peaceful first night in freedom.
