Honeymoon deaths police chief fired

5:35am Saturday 30th August 2008

Antiguan Police Commissioner Gary Nelson has been fired by the island's Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer.

Mr Nelson said: "I have been fired. I will be making a statement later."

The Canadian was appointed earlier this year by the Antiguan government as it faced a spate of violent crimes on the island.

He presided over the investigation into the double murder of Catherine and Ben Mullany who were shot in their holiday cottage on their last day of their honeymoon.

Mr Nelson, a former senior officer in Ottawa, was appointed to reform the force, but reportedly complained when he arrived that the police headquarters had no running water, no working fax machines and no radios for patrols.

Mr and Mrs Mullany, from Pontardawe, South Wales, were shot on July 27 at the Cocos Hotel and Resort.

Mrs Mullany, 31 and a doctor, died instantly. Her husband, also 31 and a trainee physiotherapist, died days later after he was flown home to a hospital in Wales.

Two men, Kaniel Martin, 20, and Avie Howell, 17, have been charged with the couple's murder, robbery and receiving stolen goods.

A woman charged in connection with the killings has been granted bail. Ramona Mejia Gervasio, 32, is charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and receiving stolen goods.

Two other women have been charged with offences connected to the murders.