Rasbert Turner, freelance writer

st catherine

The police have launched a manhunt for a prisoner they claim is wanted for at least ten counts of murder who escaped their custody from the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) yesterday morning.

The man, 28-year-old Deon Dryden, who is from Bog Walk in St Catherine had been wanted for the past year and a half in connection with more than 10 murders, including one incident where five persons were placed to lie face down and shot to death.

Reports are that yesterday Dryden was admitted to the facilities following an incident in the Half Way Tree area of St Andrew where he was chopped repeated by other persons. The lawmen got wind of the situation and sent personnel to the KPH where he was identified and was to be charged formally. However he escaped before this could be done.

It is yet to be known how he escaped but investigations are underway. THE STAR learnt that Dryden's escape follows that of his brother who is also a murder suspect. The lawmen say that they hope this is not a pattern and that they will spare no resources to apprehend Dryden.