Emotional ‘Pretty Boy’ proclaims innocence

Derrick “Pretty boy” Edwards, assistant coach of the Antigua and Barbuda National Team, is proclaiming his innocence and that of his colleague, the team’s equipment manager, 48-year-old Danny Benjamin.
“Even though I know that Danny and I are innocent it really caused a lot of pain to my family and friends,” Edwards said yesterday when he spoke on the Good Morning JoJo Sports Show for the first time since his arrest in Jamaica.
 The two football officials were arrested at the Norman Manley International Airport, in Jamaica, over a week ago, after 3.6 pounds of marijuana was allegedly found in a checked luggage.
Edwards, 49, was granted bail on March 29 when he made his first appearance in court to answer to several drug charges.
He was however, only released this week.
However, Benjamin is still behind bars after his application for bail was denied.
An emotional Edwards, who broke down in tears during the brief interview, said that he is relying on his Christian faith to get him through the difficult ordeal. He is also grateful for the outpour of love and support from family and friends in Antigua.
“I never lost my faith in the Almighty. I think that my Christian faith helped me to understand that life is not a bed of roses…it comes with tough times. My faith in God also helped me to keep Danny positive inside that jail,” Edwards said.
The assistant coach further stated that the recent turn of events may have tarnished his reputation although he is “innocent”. He is also concerned about Benjamin’s health while he remains incarcerated.
“He is sick, he is on medication which has to be transported to the jail and sometimes it is a bit difficult. Now that I am out and he is in the jail by himself, it is tough,” the assistant coach said.
(More in today’s Daily Observer)