TRELAWNY, Jamaica — The legal fraternity in western Jamaica is mourning the loss of two of its members within the space of two days.

President of the Cornwall Bar Association, attorney-at-law Michael Hemmings, speaking to reporters at the Trelawny Parish Court in Duncans on Wednesday morning, noted that the passing of Parish Court Judge Ruth Lawrence on Tuesday evening came just a day after the death of attorney-at-law Denley Saddoo, who predominantly practiced in the parish of Westmoreland.

“It is a time of mourning for the Cornwall Bar Association, because we also lost a member of the defense bar, Denley Saddoo, who practices primarily in the parish of Westmoreland. He passed Monday of this week, and it is really a tragic moment for us, and we are mourning as an association, and we’re asking persons well-wishers to give kind words to the bereaved family and to be there as best as you can in circumstances,” Hemmings told said.

“We are mourning the loss of member of the Judiciary, Her honour, Miss Ruth Lawrence, who passed last evening. This morning, both in the St James Parish Court and in the Trelawny Parish Court, we offered a moment of silence, and persons who were present would have given tributes as it relates to their interactions and they’re remembering fond moments of our beloved judge who passed last eevening,” he added.

The Trelawny police is currently treating Lawrence passing as a suspected case of suicide.

-Horace Hines