Call for hangings at Carrington’s funeral

Pentecostal pastor Rev Dr Benjamin Agard yesterday called for re-introduction of the death penalty.
In his sermon at the funeral of retired Assistant Police Commissioner Cecil Carrington at the Church on the Rock, Morvant, Agard called for swift justice to be executed against the former cop’s killers. Carrington, a former member of the Flying Squad, was discovered shot dead at his businessplace—Carrie’s On the Bay—Manzanilla, on January 19. No arrests have been made in connection with his murder. Agard, in calling for swift and strong action against Carrington’s murderers, told the packed congregation at the funeral: “There must be a way to speed up the execution of our laws and we need the death penalty, or for them to be banished. Some of them are in there (in jail) eating our food and speaking on cellphones.

“God said some must die or be put in exile, or their goods confiscated. That is the word of God. Some must still get that penalty. Unfortunately, we only imprison all of them, and that is it.”  Agard prayed: “Give the police eyes to see, that they could act. His death was brutal. This slaying must be avenged. “Give them (police) the wisdom to detect and the courage to treat with it.” He added: “People are crying out for justice in this land.”  Agard described Carrington as a “saint” and noted he was precious to God and had been a fighter of crime. “He was trying to fight crime in a different way. He was at church every Sunday and willing to help. In God’s eyes he was one of his saints,” he said.

Up to the time of his death, Carrington was an active member of the church. Also speaking at the funeral service was Rev Andy Homer, director of the Open Bible Standard Churches Inc, who said he had spoken with Carrington just before his death. Homer said Carrington always used to say “there was no perfect crime.” He added; “I had to find out what he meant by this. He said all criminals leave evidence at a crime scene. There is no such thing as a perfect crime. We hope it will be so in this case.” Carrington’s daughter, Shervonn, and retired ASP Trevor St Louis—also a former member of the Flying Squad with Carrington—delivered eulogies during the service.

He was laid to rest in the Tunapuna cemetery, in his mother’s grave. Among the hundreds of mourners were former Caricom secretary general Edwin Carrington (his cousin), Laventille East/Morvant MP Donna Cox, Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs, Deputy Commissioner Maurice Piggott, retired police commissioners Trevor Paul, Everald Snaggs, James Philbert, retired deputy commissioner Glen Roach and retired assistant commissioner Errol Denoon. Scores of serving and other retired officers also were present.