Relatives of Brian Smith, who claim that he was killed by soldiers and dumped into the sea, say they have forgiven the officers but want the truth to emerge about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Speaking with the media following Smith's funeral at the St Peter's RC Church, Church Street, Carenage, Smith's sister Kizzy Johnson said she did not hold any grudges against the soldiers.
"I am not an unforgiving person because I grow up under Christian values. I don't hold malice and Brian was not that person so I don't think he would want us to hold grudge either. Knowing the type of person he was if you and him got away by nightfall he hugging you up and making up with you. Just like he was a good person I believe I am a good person too so I forgive them yes. All I want is for the truth to come out because I am a person who believe in truth and justice," Johnson said.
According to relatives, Smith was drinking with soldiers attached to the Engineer Battalion last Friday when they got into an argument over an illegal electrical connection. Relatives claim the soldiers beat Smith with a shovel and after he complained to neighbours, he was hit in the head and thrown into the sea. His body was seen floating around 7 am on Sunday by prisons officers on their way to work at Carrera Prison. A first autopsy stated Smith drowned.
Relatives staged a fiery protest along the Western Main Road, Carenage, on Monday which caused the Carenage Police Station to respond and launch an investigation into Smith's death. That investigation has now been taken over by homicide detectives.
The soldiers were assigned to repair houses damaged by a low-flying helicopter assigned to the Air Guard three weeks ago.
Asked how she felt seeing the 10 soldiers at her brother's funeral, including Capt Stefan Affonso, public liaison officer for the T&T Regiment, Johnson said she felt it was a gesture by the officers of good faith.
Speaking with the media after the funeral service, Affonso said the presence of the officers was to show support for the family. He said that the officers visited Smith's Penal Rock Road, Moruga, home on Thursday night and they were well received. Affonso said none of the nine officers who were working in the Carenage district have been questioned by police but gave the assurance that they would be available when the time came.
Probed on the preliminary findings of a second autopsy which found that Smith suffered trauma to the head and face, Affonso said, "It is unfortunate that the information spread like wildfire but as of now it is not valid information. We are waiting on the report from Dr Hughvon des Vignes. At the end of the day it is still in the hands of the police officers and we are supporting them in whichever way possible. The request for the third autopsy was made. However, that is dependent on the outcome of the second autopsy. The official report for the second autopsy has not been completed as yet. A lot of things hinges on Monday when the second report is expected to be done," Affonso stated.