UPDATE: RVIPF intensifies calls for leads for unsolved murders
While tears were being mopped up closure brought to the shooting to death of young Keri Harrigan, fresh tears began to flow as the 'Thank you' session became one of 'Please we need closure' for another, that of Kendoy Penn who was also the victim of a shooting incident.
Penn was not another street lad with nothing to do, he was a passionate aspiring leader with a knack for the law having led a career as Crown Counsel when it was all cut short after he was gunned down in his mother's yard, Old Plantation, September 2005, at the budding age of 30.
The Acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) David Morris organised last night's meeting, April 18, 2013, through the East End/Long Look Community Consultative Community group to say thanks for the support of the community in solving Harrigan's murder and promote the strengthening of neighbourhood watch and community watch but when the floor was opened for contributions from the audience, the atmosphere changed as one woman stepped up to the podium and said in a strong yet sobbing tone of voice, "My name is Aritha Meloney, the mother of Kendoy Penn."
Ms Maloney said that until this day it worries her all night, "I sleep and I wake and I ponder over this to know that it going eight years now since Kendoy died and nothing, his case cannot be solved. I wonder why this is happening, I wonder if the case gone cold. That is all I have to ask."
The woman’s wounds were freshly cut open after listening to the glowing reports by the Acting CoP Morris and Senior Inspector of Police Nigel Niven as they both spoke of the remarkable success stories surrounding the trial that resulted in Yan Edwards and Allen Baptiste being sentenced to life in prison without possible parole for the murder of Keri Harrigan.
"I am here in your community, East End/Long Look, regarding the tragic circumstances that happen on the 16 of [March], 2011 when young Kerri Harrigan over there was brutally murdered and a result of that murder obviously we came to you on the 21st of March and had a meeting here when we made an appeal to the community for help to come forward, to support the investigations, for witnesses, for people that just had information or intelligence that could help the investigation team," Actiing CoP Morris said in his opening remarks.
But the words of Niven sank deep when he said "We know, we know that there are other murders to be solved, we know that by working together we maximise our chances."
Responding to Ms Maloney's question, Acting CoP Morris assured, "None of our crimes go cold, particularly our murders. They are all open and they are always, always being reviewed." He noted that with forensic capability they are always looking to see how they can improved that area in terms of identifying the murders that go back to 2006 and earlier.
Niven, in reiterating Morris’ points, added that they are committed and investigating every lead that arises. "As you know a lot of time has been spent on Kendoy. I would love to knock on your door and give you a solution to that terrible, terrible crime. If the evidence comes through that would be a dream come through." Mr Niven added that the reality of that and other crimes is that there is a dire need for the support of the community.
"What we need to crack any case is evidence and evidence comes with diligent investigations." Turning to Ms Maloney, Niven said "If I had a chance of solving your crime, me being here for four years has been the matter that keeps me awake at nights as well. If only we can find some way to bring those offenders to justice, if you have a pretty good idea of who those offenders, as you know its finding the evidence to bring them to court and the DPP could prosecute them and the judge could sentence them, if that could happen this community could be even more healed..."
Giving some statistics on the side of crime for January to March compared to that of 2013, Morris said there was been a record reduction with 134 less crimes recorded in the Virgin Islands. This he said was good news having seen a decrease in burglaries and those related to thefts. "We have seen an increase in our detections from 36% for last year to 41% in terms of detected and reported crimes."
He, however, noted that there was an increase in violent crimes in the East End/Long Look communities in the categories of common assault and assaults occasioning actual bodily harm. There has also been an increase in the number of reported domestic violence cases across the Territory. There has been a decrease in reported burglaries, with 14 cases reported for the period in the East End/Long Look area compared to 52 for 2012.
"That in itself is good because what we have seen is an increase in reported domestic violence. People are coming forward and reporting cases of domestic violence and that means we are winning the confidence and trust battle with the community," noted Morris.
See previous article posted on April 18, 2013
No cold cases in the VI - Morris
- Mother of murdered Kendoy Penn asks if her son's murder has gone down as a cold case
Aritha Maloney, the mother of murder victim Kendoy Penn, stood up at the community meeting held in the Long Look community this evening, April 18, 2013 and appealed to the Acting Commissioner of Police David Morris and other ranks present to speed up the process to bring closure to her son's murder.
Penn, a former Crown Counsel, was gunned down at the age of 30 in front of his Old Plantation home on September 18, 2005 by a person or persons unknown.
The obviously distraught mother asked the straight question if her son's murder has gone down as a cold case since it had occurred some eight years ago.
Mr Morris assured that there is no cold case in the Virgin Islands and that the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is still committed to having Penn's murder solved.
Inspector of Police Nigel Nevin reiterated the call for persons to come forward with evidence in Penn's and other murder cases to allow forward moments.
It was also stated that the monetary rewards are still available for persons with vital information that can lead to an arrest in the outstanding murder cases.
A memorial, which included a plaque and bench, was established in his honour in the compound of the High Court in Road Town.
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43 Responses to “UPDATE: RVIPF intensifies calls for leads for unsolved murders”
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We have far too many murderers rubbing elbows with decent people at our banks, in our stores and on our streets. Until every last one of them is put where they belong, there can be no peace of mind for any of us.
Those murderers responsible for the unspeakable and callous deaths of Kendoy Penn, Cardinal "Wolf" Fahie, Felix "Freddy" Colon, Ashley Turnbull, Donna Baronville, Lovell Parker, Aaron "Sonny" Erickson, Winston Olivierre, Roland Willock, Edread "Beef" Stout, Glenroy "Glenny" Industrious, Anderson "Tommy" Thomas, William "Sharky" Bryan, Edward "Wardo" Brewley, Melissa Spence, Dion Woods, Clara, Natasha Jno Baptiste, Ian Watkins, and Jason Bally must be brought to justice once and for all.
Not all of these people were Sunday school candidates but some were very good people ~ and all were human beings. They and their families deserve closure. The public deserves closure and those responsible need to pay their debt to society.
Jason Bally was a friend and a very kind person. His only mistake in life was walking along the road (Sea Cow's Bay) late at night after being at a friend's party. He was coldly gunned down because he was at the wrong place at the wrong time and may or may not have witnessed a robbery in progress. His family will always miss him and so will his many friends. We all want closure.
Why don't you ask your fellow locals to stop #$%%^ing around and help the police. You can hear who kill who along the street, people know what's going on. Hush your dumb @$Z. BVI people know exactly who kill 90% of those unsolved murder victims. The UK officers can only close cases based on evidence from community members. You think those guys dont know who kill who? They always pick up the right people after but can't go further because nobody come forward. with yan and baptiste the young men who came forward can't even come back home because people upset he rat out the man them. BVI is a wannabe USA gangsta state with their bull$h1t about not snitching but when it hits home they want information. People know who kill them and should talk. Until then hush your dumb sk... The UK police didn't kill anybody in BVI. It's our own black people killing off eachother for greed and bull$h!t. Blame that you self-hating @$$h*le. Typical BVI people to blame everybody but themselves. Their kids fail in school, it's Teacher fault. They don't have a job, it's Government fault. Their business fail, it's the expats fault. Murders go unsolved, it's not the killers' fault, it's the UK police fault. BTW, I'm a BVIslander but I'm just sick of the ignorance. I don't care where the police come from to solve crime as long as they solved. The fact is there are no BVI detectives with the experience to assist. these men have done well with robberies and murder investigations so far so hush.
See how quickly US authorities managed to identify and pursue suspects in the Boston marathon bombing. See the difference..the RVIPF is a waste and as for the UK officers gosh!!!
needs to get some prayer worriers to do some praying and fasting and let that person come and confess.