A man accused of taking the life of a one-year-old boy was arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court last Friday.

Court documents indicate that 21-year-old Samuel Mackey of Croton Street intentionally caused the death of Patrick McKenzie on March 6.

According to reports, the baby was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) in an unresponsive state around 9 p.m. on March 6 and was pronounced dead a short while later.

According to sources, the baby was beaten to death. He had visible bruises on this face and body.

In court, Mackey’s attorney Krysta Smith urged the magistrate to consider Section 28 of the Mental Health Act to allow her client to be sent to the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre instead of prison.

She claims that Mackey is not well mentally and should be sent there for observation and treatment.

The attorney also expressed grave concerns for Mackey’s well-being. She lamented that her client was brutality beaten by officers, pointing to his bruised eye and a blood stain on his shirt.

She said Mackey allegedly received threats from officers who said that he would be raped, beaten and even killed if remanded to prison.

Taking into account all that was said, Magistrate Forbes ordered that Mackey receive the necessary security at prison and that he be physically and mentally examined by doctors.

Mackey was not required to enter a plea to the charge and was remanded to prison.

He will return to court on Tuesday before Chief Magistrate Joyanne Ferguson-Pratt where a decision will be made on the attorney’s request to have Mackey sent to the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre.