MEMBER of Parliament for West Kingston Desmond McKenzie has written to the Independent Commission fo Investigations (INDECOM) demanding an update on investigations into the death of Oshane Dothlyn.

Dothlyn, 20, died in February while in custody at the Darling Street Police Station where he was being held on ganja possession charges. He was found dead in his cell on February 2, a day after he was taken into custody by the police.

Wednesday, McKenzie said his call was against heightened public interest in the case of Mario Deane, who died days after being beaten while he was locked up at the Barnett Street Police Station in St James over similar charges.

“While we in West Kingston are pleased that the beating death of Mario Deane has received the level of public attention and has sparked the kind of agitation amongst civil society such tragic episode deserves, we are extremely disturbed and disappointed that the same has not applied in the case of Oshane Dothlyn,” McKenzie said.

“The nation will recall that Oshane’s life came to a tragic end back in February of this year, under circumstances that are not dissimilar to that of Mario Deane, where there are more questions than answers, and the police’s account of events is shrouded in controversy,” he added.

In his letter to the INDECOM head, Terrence Williams, the West Kingston MP said: “I am urging you to provide the family of the late Oshane Dothlyn, and the public for that matter, with an update on your investigation and findings thus far. This is especially important as concerned citizens, and the family in particular, have not received the closure they deserve. With the case languishing over several months now, the family is being made to suffer in silence, and this should not continue for much longer.”

In closing, McKenzie emphasised that “we have become a society with a widening trust deficit” and that the “citizenry is becoming increasingly cynical about law enforcement and other state agents”.

“It is important that we raise the bar and assure Jamaicans that justice, transparency and accountability are guaranteed regardless of their station in life,” he stated.