By John Myers Jr., Staff Reporter
Inspector John Terry (right) from the Scotland Yard Police in London and Justice of the Peace Nicholas Bachelor (second right) watched yesterday as local personnel from the Police Transport and Repairs Department cart away one of the doors to the house in Kraal, Clarendon where four people were killed by members of the now disbanded Crime Management Unit (CMU) on May 7. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
INVESTIGATIONS INTO the controversial killing of four people in Kraal district, north central Clarendon, moved a step further yesterday when Scotland Yard investigators and detectives from the local National Firearm, Drug and Intelligence Centre (NFDIC), removed items of furniture from the house where the shooting occurred May 7.
Sergeant Eli Gardener, the senior detective in charge of yesterday's operation, told The Gleaner that the items were being removed to the Narcotics Division in Kingston for storage to assist in the investigation process. He said the police will be carrying out a scientific examination of the items in search of evidence.
The team which included Detective Inspector John Terry of the Scotland Yard Police squad in London, removed a blood-stained mattress, a bullet riddled refrigerator, a barrel containing clothes and sheets which were on the bed and the front and back doors to the house. The doors were replaced with new ones by the police.
The proceedings was witnessed by Justice of the Peace Nicholas Bachelor who is from the area, while a handful of persons from the community gathered on the road in front of the death house.
According to Vinton James, also called "Jah T", residents of the community are still shaken by the tragic shootings.
James who was said to be one of the men wanted in connection with alleged shootout that occurred on the day in question, told The Gleaner he was no longer in fear of the police as he had been assured by Assistant Commissioner, Osbourne Dyer on a recent visit to the community, that he will not be harmed.
James was among two other men, Rohan Thomas, otherwise called "Bulby" and Adrian Fearon also called "Pucksey" whom the police claimed engaged them in a shootout at the house.
Meanwhile, British Police Chief Sir John Stevens, arrived in Jamaica Monday to advise the local police on the controversial Kraal shooting and to discuss with security leaders tactical training for armed response teams, forensic training, and investigative intelligence as it relates to hostile environments, The Gleaner understands.
Reports are that a group of forensic experts is scheduled to depart for the United Kingdom to undergo special training.
This is Sir John's second trip to the island since July last year.
"His visit has something to do with the Kraal incident," a spokesperson at the Ministry of National Security told The Gleaner yesterday.
On his arrival, the British Police Chief met with National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips and later with Police Commissioner Francis Forbes.
