Man drowns after stoning over cell

A 26-year-old man from San Fernando drowned under the King’s Wharf jetty while seeking refuge from a fruit vendor who was stoning him. Paramedics did CPR on Mark Jackman for 30 minutes on Sunday near a Customs and Excise office on Old Train Line, San Fernando. But by the time he arrived at the San Fernando General Hospital, he was already dead. Police up to yesterday were searching for the fruit vendor who went into hiding after Jackman disappeared underwater.

Jackman of Pond Street, La Romaine, was seen arguing with the suspect, then  ran off along the jetty, with the suspect chasing and throwing stones. After being  hit several times, Jackman jumped into the water, hoping to escape the man. But the vendor continued throwing stones and Jackman had to seek refuge under the water. After he had been under the jetty  fo rfive minutes , a villager dived into the water and pulled him out. The suspect left.  An autopsy by Dr Hughvon des Vignes confirmed Jackman died from drowning. However, his sister Camille Jackman said he had a bruise on his neck and his knees were swollen. Camille said her brother sold the suspect a Digicel smartphone for $350 earlier this month. He had been paid $200 and met the suspect on Sunday to collect the balance.

“When I reached at the wharf there were two particular people that told me that Mark sold the man (suspect) his phone. It was sold for $350 but he collected $200 and he went to get the $150,” she explained. “From what I understood, the eyewitnesses said they started to argue because the man refused to give him the money for the phone. Initial reports said Jackman stole the phone and ran. But his mother, Sybil Jackman, produced the package which came with the phone when he bought it. Jackman has a twin sibling. Cpl David of the San Fernando CID is continuing investigations.