?Dozens of heavily armed police officers yesterday stood guard as relatives and friends came out to mourn the death of murdered prisoner, Peter Garcia yesterday. The officers, who were armed with automatic rifles and wore bullet proof vests, were positioned at the front of D Boodoo's Funeral Home in Rio Claro, as well as at the Rio Claro Cemetery. Their presence came after repeated requests by Garcia's relatives who were scared for their lives, fearing reprisal action over the cold blooded killing. At the funeral home, Garcia's daughter Daniella held onto her father's coffin and wept uncontrollably while other relatives stood in silence.
One relative, who refused to be named, said he was scared for his life because he did not know if the men who killed Garcia would return. "This is a fearful time for us. I know the police is here and while that still gives us a little comfort, we still wonder what will happen afterward because we know that there is still more (violence) to come," the relative said. Another relative lamented the manner in which Garcia died saying that "he did not have to go that way."
(CB)
