Three months after a triple police killing sparked fiery protests in Moruga, jubilation reigned yesterday as news spread quickly that six police officers implicated in the deaths were detained for questioning. Up to late yesterday, official charges were not laid. A source said, however, that Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard had given the green light to lay murder charges. Investigators said around 5 am yesterday, five constables, among them a female, and a corporal were arrested at their respective homes. They were taken to the Northern Homicide Bureau where they were interrogated for several hours.
Police said another police officer was expected to surrender. At Indian Walk, Moruga, yesterday, several residents expressed satisfaction with the arrests. "We did not expect this to happen at all...We thought it would be another cover-up by the police," resident Patterson Bronson said. "But while we are happy, we want this investigation to go a step further. "We want them to find the person who hired the police to make this hit on innocent people." He said since the deaths of Abigail Johnson, 20, her best friend, Allana Duncan, 27, and construction worker Keron Eccles, 29, life in the community was not the same. Eccles' wife, June, now has to work to care for her children.
Meanwhile, at Johnson's home, her family also expressed satisfaction with the arrests. Grandmother May Johnson said Abigail was the sole breadwinner and caretaker. "She was the one who took care of me...I am suffering from arthritis and back injuries," May said. "Since she died, I really suffering a lot." Clutching her rosary and wiping away tears, May said: "I forgive the police...Nothing they do now will bring back my granddaughter. "I want to see the people who do that to my child," she wept. She added that Johnson's uncle, Francis, was still distraught. Francis, however, refused to comment, saying he did not have any details. "All I know is what I hear on the news, so I do not know anything for sure," he said. "I would rather withhold my comment."
Another relative, Patricia Mitchell, said she wanted to see the faces of the people who allegedly shot Johnson and her friends. "I want to know if they have children and family...I want to see them when they go to court," Mitchell said. Meanwhile, Director of the Police Complaints Authority, Gillian Lucky, who initiated investigations after the killings, said it was inappropriate for her to comment. President of the Police Social and Welfare Association, Sgt Anand Ramesar, said yesterday that he had no confirmation that any of the officers were charged. Saying he did not know the nature of the charges, Ramesar said this incident would weaken the morale of police officers. "Most times police officers work very hard and sometimes things may go wrong because of a multitude of factors often which are not the fault of the police," he said. He said the association would continue to lend support to the officers.
flashback
Allana Duncan, 27, of Duncan Village, San Fernando, Keron Fernando Eccles, 29, of Moruga Main Road, Moruga, and Abigail Johnson, 20, of Burton Trace, Moruga, were shot dead around 9 pm on July 22. It was alleged that they were travelling in a car driven by Duncan when it was reported that police officers of the San Fernando Robbery Squad intercepted the vehicle. Police reported that the occupants opened fire on the officers who returned fire, killing the three friends. Eyewitnesses later denied the police account, saying the three friends were innocent victims. A recording of the killings was reportedly provided to the police. The triple deaths later sparked outrage in the Moruga community and led to daily protests in which villagers called for justice, blocked roads and set fires.