Manslaughter charge in Anguilla: family says banker fought off armed hotel worker

Scott Hapgood, 44, faces manslaughter charges in Anguilla after a confrontation with hotel worker Kenny Mitchel. His family says he acted in self-defence during a robbery attempt.

Connecticut banker charged with manslaughter after fatal struggle at Anguilla resort

The family of Scott Hapgood, a 44-year-old New York banker from Connecticut, has released photographs of his injuries following a fatal confrontation at the Malliouhana Resort in Anguilla on 13 April, abcnews.com reports. Hapgood has been charged with manslaughter in the death of hotel maintenance worker Kenny Mitchel.

According to the family's statement to ABC News, a man dressed in a hotel uniform knocked on the door of Hapgood's resort room shortly after his two minor daughters had returned there on their own. Hapgood was alone in the room with the children at the time; his wife was not present.

"The man knocked on the door, saying he was there to fix a broken sink. Scott indicated the sinks were not broken as far as he was aware, but that the man was free to have a look. Like any of us would, he trusted a hotel staff person in uniform," the family's statement read.

Hapgood said Mitchel was armed and demanded money, according to a statement previously released by Hapgood's spokesman on 25 April. A physical struggle followed.

"During the attack, Scott did not choke the attacker. Scott himself sustained severe injuries as a result of the physical struggle. … Scott was literally fighting for his life. He was bitten multiple times by the attacker, including on his face," the family said. They added that neither Hapgood nor any other family member had reported a maintenance issue that day or at any prior time.

Mitchel was eventually restrained by a resort security guard. Hapgood was taken to hospital for his injuries and then went voluntarily to a police station, where he learned of Mitchel's death while giving his witness statement, the family said.

"Upon his initial release, Scott was checked into the Four Seasons by the Malliouhana Resort, which paid for the stay," the statement continued. "Two days later, Scott was arrested and charged, handcuffed and detained."

Anguilla police announced the manslaughter charge in a Facebook statement on 20 April. A request for bail was initially denied but was later granted by a high court judge. Court proceedings have been scheduled for August.

Royal Anguilla Police Force spokesman Randy Dick told ABC News on Thursday that authorities do not yet have an established motive for Mitchel's actions. Commissioner Elliott Forbes urged restraint in public commentary on the case.

"This matter is now before a competent court and the law should be allowed to take its course without interference," Forbes said. "I am aware that members of the public have different views on the issue and you are entitled to your respective views. … All I am asking is that you do not say or do anything that can jeopardize the case."

The Hapgood family, in their statement, said they cooperated fully with local authorities in Anguilla and that first-hand accounts of the events were taken by police. They called for a fair legal process.

"Scott's wounds will heal, but the trauma of this incident will be with our family forever," the statement read. "Scott Hapgood did what any parent would do — defend himself and his children. And thanks to his actions, Scott and our family survived this terrible encounter."

Source: Google News AI — Crime