WESTERN BUREAU:
THE FAMILY of Amari Wedderburn, the 13-year-old boy killed by a policeman's bullet in Negril, Westmoreland on May 2, is demanding compensation of more than $300,000 in funeral expenses from the government.
Family members told The Gleaner that they are frustrated with the pace of the Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) probe into the incident, and are involved in discussions with lawyers in a bid to recover their expenses, as well as wrongful death compensation. The teenager was reportedly killed as he watched a police team who was trying to apprehend another youth. The teenager's uncle, Eric Wedderburn, said he has lost confidence in the BSI's ability to probe the case objectively, and is calling for foreign investigators to become involved in the probe.
"We don't want this case to die. We need Scotland Yard or somebody to investigate this case because the BSI can't investigate police. They don't want to prove that they are wrong when they are wrong," Mr. Wedderburn maintained.
NO COMFORT
Attempts to ascertain the status of the BSI's investigation were unsuccessful yesterday, as the investigating officer was said to be out of office. The Constabulary Communications Network (CCN) said the investigation is continuing. However, this is of no comfort to the Wedderburn family. Amari's father, Clifford Wedderburn, hung his head, as his brother Eric Wedderburn demanded justice for the teenager's life.
"How come the BSI is doing an investigation and the policeman can't be charged and arrested," the teen's uncle demanded. "It is not like Kraal or Braeton... me son die with a pizza in his hand and we need justice for me son life."
The police version of the incident claims that the teenager was shot when a member of a boisterous crowd tried to disarm a police officer, who was in the process of apprehending a male. However, several persons who claimed to have witnessed the incident, insist that Amari was killed in cold blood.
The incident led to an angry mob damaging two vehicles including a police jeep, and the windows of several businesses being smashed.
