Archer, Daxon speak on BDC inhumane facility

Archer, Daxon speak on BDC inhumane facility
From left: Omar Archer and Maria Daxon.

Intentional criminal libel proceedings for Omar Archer and Maria Daxon continued in the Supreme Court Wednesday where Queens Counsel Fred Smith represented the duo.

Under the former Christie Administration, Maria Daxon – a former police constable and now, a vocal defender for the rights of police officers, and activist Omar Archer, were both charged with two counts of intentional libel concerning statements written about then Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade and Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Leon Bethell.

It was alleged that Daxon, between August 26 and August 30, 2016, wrote defamatory statements about Commissioner Greenslade and Senior ACP Bethell, which were likely “to injure and expose” the officers to “general hatred, contempt or ridicule”.

In an interview with Eyewitness News yesterday, both of the accused offered their recounts on what they consider inhumane conditions while on remand in the Bahamas Department of Corrections (BDOC), which was the subject during the Supreme Court proceedings.

Daxon recounted her experience after appearing before the Magistrate Court last year and not obtaining the ability to apply for bail.

“While we were on remand there, we were not treated well,” Daxon said.

“I was strip-searched. I was made to lie on a mattress that had holes in it … inhumane conditions,” Daxon said.

Activist Omar Archer told Eyewitness News that during his time in ‘lock-up’ he was jailed in the same units as “hardened criminals”.

“I took the stand yesterday and was asked a series of questions – particularly about the conditions in which I was held in maximum security in 2015, and also in the remand center in A block in 2016/2017,” Archer explained.

“… I was housed with hardened criminals. Cyril Darville aka the Butcher, known for killing 10 hackers … the other guy who killed Jackie Moxey with a baseball bat and this other guy they call him ‘Nasty’… just hardened criminals.”

Archer said he felt he was unfairly placed with these mass murderers for the minor offense he was charged with.

He admitted he feared for his life.

“I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t scared … I was in fear for my life,” he said.