By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff ReporterTHE GOVERNMENT, through the Ministry of National Security, has decided to dip into the public's coffers to underwrite the funeral expenses of Renee Lyons, the 10-year-old girl of Majesty Gardens, lower St. Andrew, who was shot and killed by the police on July 25.
The decision was taken following negotiations between the Hunts Bay police and Renee's family. Those talks ended yesterday in a verbal confrontation during a press briefing at the Hunts Bay Police Station where the Government's decision was announced.
"Although dem (the police) a go bury har, me still a go a court," said an emotional Natalie Richards, the mother of the slain girl.
Family members indicated that despite accepting the assistance, they were still proceeding with legal action against the state to claim compensation for their 10-year-old daughter.
According Superintendent Claude Samuels, head of the St. Andrew South Police Division, the matter would have been settled before now but each time an agreement seemed near, the talks broke down.
ELABORATE FUNERAL
"They (the family) wanted an elaborate funeral that would cost far over $200,000. They wanted a funeral similar to that of Willie Haggart (Arnett Gardens area leader), but it cannot work because it's taxpayers' money," Supt. Samuels told journalists.
But, the child's parents, Natalie Richards and Ranny Lyons, along with her grandmother, Pauline Hay-Washington, who turned up late for the meeting, denied that they wanted an elaborate funeral.
"We refuse to go to the funeral homes that they wanted us to go," said Mrs. Hay-Washington.
She explained that the original cost of the funeral that they had planned would have cost $204,000. "But they asked us to reduce it and now we have a bill for $119,000," she said.
Supt. Samuels said the police were prepared to spend only $150,000, in addition to assisting with transportation and other charges.
Mr. Lyons said the funeral has been set for Sunday, August 17, but the post mortem which was scheduled for yesterday was
not done.
"They want to have the autopsy next Monday, 16 days after she was killed," said Lyons, as he struggled to hold back the tears.
Supt. Samuels gave the assurance that he will intervene and do everything possible to have the child buried on that day. Responding to questions relating to the investigations, the officer said the matter was being dealt with by Bureau of Special Investigations. He said since the shooting, the constable involved had been transferred from Hunts Bay, and remains off frontline duties.
