Family of slain pregnant woman lauds DPP ruling
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Loved ones of Kayann Lamont, the eight-month pregnant St Thomas woman who was gunned down on Saturday, are expressing satisfaction with the ruling that charges be brought against the cop who did the shooting.
“I feel good to about it,” Kayann’s father Eric told the Jamaica Observer.
The senior Lamont was delighted at the possibility that the family may get justice for the killing of his 27-year-old daughter.
Lenroy Dennis, the man whose baby Kayann was carrying, said, “I’m glad that they will charge him. Everybody saw what he did. Justice has to take it’s course.”
He said the time has come for members of the constabulary force to be held responsible for their actions.
“They behave that way because they back each other,” Dennis said.
Corporal Dwayne Smart is to be charged with murder, illegal possession of firearm, wounding with intent and assault, following a ruling yesterday by Acting Director of Public Prosecution, Lisa Palmer-Hamilton.
Kayann was shot in the head in Yallahs square by Smart, following a tussle. Smart had accosted Lamont over the use of indecent language.
Her sister, Novia Lamont, was shot in the shoulder while running to her aid. Another sister, Shemean Lamont, was allegedly assaulted by the cop, who also turned the gun on her. However, the weapon did not fire.
Smart reportedly had to be restrained by colleagues on the scene.
Both women were taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital where Kayann was pronounced dead and Novia admitted. She was released from the hospital yesterday.
The family has since contracted the services of former Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne in an effort to get compensation from the State.