Church Pen residents angry at slow pace of probe into deadly crash

By Nakinskie Robinson    

 

Residents of Church Pen, St. Catherine are again airing their frustration over the pace at which the probe into a deadly crash which claimed two lives back in February, is moving.

 

The early morning collision on Ash Wednesday involved Police Constable Renardo Spence and Marshall March in Island Farm, Old Harbour.

 

Mr. March's body was recovered by residents from bushes near the crash site the following day, more than 24 hours after the incident.

 

The authorities have indicated that they are treating the case as a homicide until a post mortem is complete.

 

But during Thursday morning's protest, residents and relatives disputed any possibility of Mr. Marshall being murdered.

 

One resident contended that the police's handling of the crash is impeding burial activities. 

 

"The police dem, dem nuh behave professional, dem nuh do dem work professional. Now [it's] like they want to say somebody kill him and put him out there, which this yute is a peaceful yute inna di community; nobody want a mosquito fi pitch pon dis yute, and dem hold on to him body for so long, over three months and odd," she complained, adding that there has been no communication with his family. 

 

She called for authorities to have dialogue with the family in an effort to bring calm to those mourning Mr. March's death. 

 

"We need to come to an agreement today, and we are doing it professional. We don't want to do it outta conduct. Time has come," she demanded.     

 

Meanwhile, the police say post mortems being conducted on decomposing bodies require a longer operation time.

 

Radio Jamaica News was also informed that Constable Spence will be laid to rest next Saturday - which has angered the residents.

 

Back in February, a demonstration was staged, a day after Mr. March's body was found.

 

Residents had said they were not allowed to search the area immediately after the crash and accused the police of mishandling the incident.

 

Mr. March's relatives have also called for those conducting the probe to be replaced.