Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer

PORT ANTONIO, Portland:

Following hours of intensive investigation and patrolling last night, the Portland police have taken into custody two men believed to be directly connected to the murder of former World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick.

According to Senior Detective Sergeant of the Port Antonio Criminal Investigative Branch (CIB), Kenneth Bailey, the men were picked up in the dead of night Saturday leading up to early yesterday morning, and are being interrogated.

"We believe that a major breakthrough has been made by us," the detective said. "There is not much to be made public at this time because of the nature of this particular case but, based on our professional investigation, compounded by intelligence received, we are on the right track."

Reprisal killing

Detective Bailey said the murder of the former boxing champion appears to be a reprisal killing as Berbick may have had some run-ins or clashes with persons in the Norwich community who may have decided to carry out the gruesome act.

"Investigations have led us to believe that he was killed by a person or persons who had a personal vendetta against him," the detective said.

Berbick's lifeless body was discovered by a church deacon at about 5:00 a.m. Saturday near a flight of stairs leading to his house, after the clergyman had gone to open the doors of the nearby Church of God chapel at Ranch Hill, in the Norwich community. The body also had five chop wounds to the back of the head, and a Jamaican $100 note was found beside him.

The police, who have so far ruled out robbery as the motive, have been lauded by residents for their quick response and effort in apprehending the two prime suspects, less than 24 hours after the murder. The residents, who had earlier demanded that the police catch the killer or killers, were jubilant after learning of the police action.

Overseas interests

"Justice has been done and this only proves that the police are still competent in their profession," said a resident of Norwich district, who gave his name as Piper. "There is nothing that Trevor could have done or said to deserve this kind of death."

The killing of the former heavyweight champion has sparked not only national interest, but also internationally, as overseas media have indicated a keen interest in the developments.

Yesterday, the people of Portland maintained that Berbick exposed Portland as a parish that was capable of fathering a true heavyweight champion.