A preliminary investigation into the incident involving an American citizen charged with the death of hotel worker Kenny Mitchel began today in Anguilla.
Scot Hapgood, a 44-year-old financier was charged with manslaughter in the April 13 death of Kenny Mitchel, a Dominican national who resided in Anguilla. Hapgood alleges that Mitchel showed up at his hotel room claiming that he was there to fix a broken sink.
Subsequently, Mitchel attacked him and he reacted in self-defense to protect his wife and daughters who were present in the hotel room. Medical reports indicate that Mitchel died of positional asphyxia and blunt force injuries.
Hapgood was arrested for four days after the attack and initially denied bail then released on a $74000 bond. Anguillans are of the view that the granting of bail and allowing the suspect to leave the island was a travesty of justice. Many who knew Kenny describes him as a loving person and a great father.
