Autobiography
Who KilledMiss Che Che?
An Autobiography
Episode6: Praying in Prison
As I walked down the hallway other inmateswere standing by their doors looking out at me. I was placed inNumber Four Cell straight down the block. I could see up the hallto the office but could not see the officer's desk. I was lockedin and the other cells were left unlocked. I sat on the mattresscovered with a cheap plastic material, waited and cried.
An officer later returned with a tray offood, drink, a water jug, toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper,soap and comb. I refused the food and took the other things fromhim. I was still in tears. It was hard to believe what had happenedto me.
My father arrived with the officer. He cameinto the cell wearing his uniform of white shirt, brown pants,shoes and cap. It was the first time I had seen him in years.
"I will be working tomorrow,"he said. "Take it easy. I'm with you now. Don't worry."
How could I not worry? When you tell a person,"Don't worry" you are saying, "Don't care."I didn't say much. I didn't have to say much. It was seen. I askedfor a Bible.
I was out of cigarettes so my dad gave mesome, surprised that I smoked. He smoked Winston's but I acceptedthem anyhow. My father told me he was going off duty and wouldbe back tomorrow morning. He said he would come in the eveningsand bring me some B&H cigarettes. So he and the officer left,my door was locked again and I stood up and watched my fatherwalk up the hallway and out of sight.
I put my things away, made my bed and readthe Bible. The cell was small: a bunk, table, chair, toilet andface basin. Once could hardly move around. It was a two-man cellbecause the bunks doubled but me alone occupied it at that time.The lights went out at 10:00 pm that night, every night and stilldo. I did not get much sleep.
In the morning the lights went on at 7:00am. An inmate, escorted by an officer, brought me my breakfast.I ate very little. During the day inmates would come to the celldoor and peep in through the glass. Some would say "whathappened Philip?" Everyone knew my name. I would reply "Nothing."
I thought plenty of Jeff and Mike and wasmad as a lion with a sour tooth but controlled myself. I was worriedand I knew they were too.
The director came to see me around 10:00am that morning and every morning since to ask how I was doingand so forth. My lunch and supper was carried to me and I neverleft the cell unless it was for a visit or to exercise which Ihad to do alone.
Later that first day I got hold of a newspaper.The headline read: "17 Year Old Charged With Murder!
"Philip Glennan Ebanks appeared incourt yesterday charged with the murder of Miss Che Che..."On and on. That brought more tears from my heart. I cried so muchthat my eyes had swollen up. I still could not talk.
Time went by. My meals were carried to mycell. I exercised alone. I was quiet and gave no trouble at allto anyone, neither officer nor inmate. I received visits frommy friends and family and saw my father often.
I felt much better when one day my lawyercame to visit and told me that a date had been sought for my PreliminaryInquiry P.I. It was to be 1 April 1983.
He said: "You are going home at theend of it because there is no evidence whatsoever against youfor any murder and it's hard for one to understand why a murdercharge was pressed without evidence."
He also said that Mr. Chinsee, a Q.C. fromJamaica employed to represent me would be in court that day. Weeksearlier Mr. Levy had mentioned Mr. Chinsee. I had told my familyand Mr. Levy made arrangements for Mr. Chinsee to represent mewith himself.
Then one day the Director came to my cellto see me as usual and said, "as from Friday you will betreated in the same respect as the general population becauseof your good behavior and self-conduct."
I understood what he meant and he walkedaway, leaving my cell door open though the main gate remainedlocked. I was feeling better and said, "Thank you sir."
So now I could exercise with the other inmatesand eat my meals in the dining hall. I could walk up to the maingate for visits without an officer's escort. Nicole's brotherFrank was in prison at that time, serving a sentence for possessionof ganja and I saw him everyday.
Exercising with the rest of the inmatessoon earned me the nickname "bombshot" for my powerfulleft foot shot to the goal that hardly failed. The guys alwayswanted to play on "bombshot's" team. We used to pickthree or four teams and play "taking off."
My side hardly lost because once I couldget a fair open shot that was it. Bang! The other side was offand another one came to play my team.
My first day to the dining hall I met KristinFoster, better known as "Kris" from East End. When Ifirst saw Kris I loved her. She worked with my father as an assistantcook. When it was time to collect my food I looked into the kitchenand saw her.
Our eyes met and locked. She had a darkbrown complexion, was solid and cute, though not too solid healthy.
My father was there and said, "Kris, this is my baby sonPhilip. Philip, this is my assistant cook, Kris."
We said hi, our eyes still held together.The inmate behind me told me to move up because he wanted hisfood and I moved up.
Next: Philip meets two young menwho will help contribute to his downfall.
llustrations by Philip Glennan Ebanks
*All Names have been changed to protectthe rights of individuals.
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