Machel Cedenio has admitted he was the T&T athlete who had surrendered to the police in connection with a deadly hit and run accident that occurred in Tobago in July. However, he says his name has since been cleared in the matter.
Shortly after he was released by investigating officers at the Crown Point Police Station earlier today, Cedenio, 23, took to Twitter and defended his name. He also lashed out at some media personnel who had identified him in their respective reports (not the T&T Guardian). Persons cannot be named by the media before they are officially charged in matters.
At about 10.30 am Cedenio tweeted: “Trinidad media for your money.”
He then added: “They were happy to report I walked in a police station with my lawyer for questioning, etc but… they weren’t as eager to report I walked out uncharged with a cleared name!!!"
However, his tweets were deleted about one hour after posting.
Cedenio won gold and silver medals in the 4×400 relays at the London 2017 and Beijing 2015 World Championships respectively.
On Monday, the T&T Police Service issued a release titled “T&T Athlete on ID parade in Tobago” but did not name who the individual was. The release stated that the athlete was detained by police in Trinidad and taken to Tobago to be placed on an identification parade. It also stated that the athlete, accompanied by his attorney, surrendered to officers at the Barataria Police Station on Sunday.
The T&T Guardian was told investigations surrounded a fatal hit and run accident involving Lenora Patrick, 55, of Mary’s Hill. On July 4, Patrick’s decomposing body was found along Auchenskeoch/Buccoo Bay Road, which leads onto the Claude Noel Highway, by a jogger. The body was partially submerged in a drain. An autopsy revealed Patrick suffered blunt force trauma, a broken neck and multiple broken bones.
An investigating officer yesterday confirmed the athlete’s release but said the investigations are continuing.
The officer said when the investigation s completed a file will be forwarded to Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard for further instructions.
