THE EDITOR, SIR:
AN EX-COP attached to the Jamaica Constabulary Force for years was shot and killed under dubious circumstances in Mandeville on Friday, January 23, 2004 in the afternoon. Damion Watson was also a Public Health Inspector assigned to the Manchester Health Department until his untimely death. He believed in justice, honesty and integrity and was a person of unquestionable character.
It is so ironic that a representative for the JCF; the agency with which Mr. Watson worked for several years gave a vivid report which seemed to have exculpated the businessman and incriminated the ex-cop and Public Health Inspector.
The Manchester Health Department and eyewitnesses have disputed the "gospel" according to the police and strongly protested the killing of a benevolent person. They have also confirmed that he was a non-smoker. This incident has provoked some pertinent questions.
Who is this manager that has killed the ex-cop and Public Health Inspector?
Why wasn't he arrested, charged and granted bail by a Resident Magistrate, isn't this the norm in such matters?
Where is the knife that was used in the supposed attempt to stab the armed businessman? Was Mr. Watson subdued after the businessman shot him in the chest the first time? If so, why was there the need to shoot the victim a second time in the chest?
The issues surrounding this case are controversial but can be easily settled with a thorough, proper and complete investigation. The Manchester Health Department has called for the arrest of the businessman and the closure of the theatre until investigations have been completed, and rightly so. It has become a crime scene where sufficient evidence should be gathered. I must commend the Manchester Health Department for the stance that they have taken without which this tragedy and disrespect for human life would probably have gone unnoticed.
I hope that Manchester Health Department will continue to protest for justice in a land of lawlessness. I wish to implore all persons who were eyewitnesses to this incident to provide the authorities with the relevant information so that the law will take its course and justice will be served. I would like to express sincere condolences to the family, relatives, colleagues and friends of the late Damion Watson.
I am, etc.,
GRAYSON HUTCHINSON
george@cybervale.com
Via Go Jamaica
