A mother will have her day in court after a judge ruled that she can proceed with a lawsuit against the Attorney General’s Office over the death of her 27-year-old son in prison, despite the state’s attempt to have the case dismissed.

Sheryl Inigo Joseph filed a civil claim accusing the state of negligence following the 2018 death of her son, Cordayro Joseph, who was serving a 35-year sentence for the 2011 murder of Coldrick Lewis. His body was discovered hanging in a cell at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) on September 24, 2018.

Although a coroner’s jury later ruled the death a suicide, Joseph’s family questioned the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and criticised the lengthy delay in launching an investigation.

27-year-old inmate Cordayro Joseph died by suicide while in the custody of the state prison

On May 9, 2025, High Court Master Carlos Michel dismissed an application by the Attorney General’s Office to strike out the lawsuit. The state had argued that the case was time-barred under the Public Authorities Protection Act and constituted an abuse of the court process, noting that a previous claim had been filed in 2022.

However, Justice Michel found the state’s objections to be premature and said the issues raised should be addressed at trial. He stressed that dismissing the claim at this early stage—before evidence is presented or a defence is filed—would be inappropriate.

He further noted that in regards to the AG’s claims of an abuse of process, the current lawsuit differs from the earlier one, as it includes new allegations against both the police and the coroner, and seeks monetary compensation for negligence, breach of statutory duty, and misfeasance in public office.

The man’s mother contends that the police and coroner failed in their legal duty to conduct a proper investigation and hold an inquest before her son was buried—leaving her with unresolved questions and emotional trauma.

The initial inquest into Cordayro Joseph’s death did not begin until five years later and was ultimately annulled at the request of her lawyer, Wendel Alexander (formerly Wendel Robinson) due to overlapping High Court proceedings.

With the court’s ruling, the mother’s claim will now move one step closer to trial, where the state’s handling of the case—including its alleged failure to carry out a lawful and timely inquest—will come under judicial scrutiny.

The AG’S Office is required to file and serve its defence on or before 10th June, 2025 and matter has been the be set down for case management on 22nd July, 2025.

Read full judgment here:https://eccourts.org/judgment/sheryl-inigo-joseph-v-the-attorney-general