Court Allows Mother’s Case Against State Over Prison Death to Proceed

The High Court of Justice in Antigua and Barbuda has ruled against the Attorney General’s request to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a grieving mother seeking answers about her son’s death while in prison custody. The court’s decision allows the case to move forward to trial.

On May 9, 2025, the court dismissed arguments urging the dismissal of Sheryl Inigo Joseph’s claim on technical grounds, highlighting that the unique circumstances surrounding the case necessitate judicial examination, despite the Attorney General’s objections.

Joseph’s lawsuit demands compensation for negligence, breach of statutory duties, and misfeasance in public office in connection with her son’s death. Cordayro Joseph is believed to have died by suicide on September 24, 2018, while serving time at His Majesty’s Prisons.

In her court filings, Joseph states that she attempted multiple times to get information from the police regarding the circumstances of her son’s death but received no response.

She also claims that the coroner failed to initiate an inquest into his death as mandated by section 10 of the Coroner’s Act, despite her repeated requests.

The mother reports enduring “years of frustration, emotional distress, anxiety, health issues, and damage” due to the lack of closure surrounding her son’s death.

Her claim alleges that both the Coroner and the Commissioner of Police breached their duties of care to her.

Instead of filing a defense, the Attorney General sought to have the case dismissed entirely. Joseph is represented by attorney Wendel Alexander, while Deputy Solicitor General Carla Brookes-Harris represents the Attorney General.

In his ruling, Justice Michel underscored the significance of allowing Joseph’s claims to be evaluated on their merits, stating, “the interests of justice require that allegations of such a serious nature regarding a death in state custody not be dismissed without proper examination of the evidence.”