Headlines:
| J-FLAG refutes police theory behind Terry’s killing |
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| Sunday, 13 September 2009 | |
 Police
statements denying claims that the death of Honourary British Consul John Terry
was in any way connected to a gay hate crime has angered the group, the Jamaica
Forum for Lesbians, All-sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG). The theory that the attack could be a homophobic hate crime has been widely reported in the British media. However, local police say nothing in their investigation is consistent with that theory and have asked the media to desist from reporting this misleading information. But in a statement, J-FLAG said it is concerned about the manner in which the investigation into Mr. Terry's murder is proceeding. The group said it believes Mr. Terry's murder is yet another sign of the general disregard that many Jamaicans have for human life. According to J-FLAG, the state in which Mr. Terry's body was found indicates that he was the victim of a violently homophobic crime. Citing evidence in the overseas media that the crime was in fact a gay hate crime, J-FLAG called on the police to provide evidence to justify its denial of these claims. The groups said the police needs to assure the public that their statements about the nature of the killing are not made based on attempts to protect the image of Jamaica but on the evidence in the case. On Friday, the police issued a sketch of a young man who they said could help them with their investigation of Mr. Terry's killing. The sketch is of a man who was seen near Mr. Terry's house before the 65-year old British diplomat was found dead at his home in Mount Carey, St. James on Wednesday. Mr. Terry's naked body was found with a cloth around his neck. |