Suspect confesses to gruesome killing of Clarendon family
According to news reports, the police has confirmed the confession of the suspect in Monday’s callous murder of a mother and her four children in Cocoa Piece, North Central Clarendon. The suspect, Rushane Barnett, 23, was held in police custody on Tuesday 21 June, in his home parish, Trelawny.
The mother was identified as 31-year-old Kemesha Wright, and her four children are Kimanda Smith, 15, Sharalee Smith, 12, Rafael Smith, 5, and 23-month-old Kishaun Henry Jr. Their bodies were discovered in their house just before dawn by Clevan Edwards, an elderly neighbour. He alerted the police.
The mother was reportedly studying to be a nurse. Her mother says she had her final examination on Tuesday.
The disturbing news of the family’s death rocked Jamaica, leaving many government officials and citizens angered by the heinous act. According to news reports, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has described the killings as an attack on the nation. Holness said the incident is more than just a domestic dispute. He later expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.
While the, Nadine Gayle Little, Principal of Beulah Primary and Infant School where two of the children attended, says waves of anxiety, fainting and asthma attacks gripped students and staff Tuesday on hearing the gruesome news. She further described the students as beautiful and disciplined.
In news realeases, Diahannn Gordon Harrison, the Children’s Advocate, described the crimes as “particularly abhorrent and gruesome.” “I am struck to the core by how vicious and heartless the perpetrators are, especially because vulnerable and harmless children were senselessly robbed of their lives,” she said. “I extend heartfelt condolences to the family, both immediate and extended, and to members of the community.” she added.
The national security minister, Dr Horace Chang, said the brutal killings have shaken the entire leadership of the country and touched the hearts of the entire country. “This kind of savagery is not about policing; it is a far deeper psycho-social problem of which we have to unite as a country and as a people and find the vulnerable ones and begin to get at the root cause of this prevalence of violence.” he added.
