by Linda Straker
- 4 homicides which occurred between January and June remain unsolved
- Josiah “Jonty” Robinson’s case attracting widespread attention to Grenada
- Dr Mitchell wrote Prime Minister letter dated 10 August 2023
Opposition Leader Dr Keith Mitchell has written to Prime Minister and Minister for National Security Dickon Mitchell recommending that Government seek support from international investigating bodies such as Scotland Yard and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to assist local police with investigations into the 4 homicides which occurred between January and June, and remain unsolved.
Josiah “Jonty” Robinson, found on a beach on 18 June 2023, is the case receiving the most attention. “I strongly recommend that the Government of Grenada seek assistance from experts in the international community, such as the US Federal Bureau of Investigations or the British Scotland Yard of the Metropolitan Police, to ensure an independent, transparent and thorough inquiry into this particular murder case as a matter of priority, guaranteeing no possibility of any lapses or cover-up,” Dr Mitchell told the Prime Minister in the letter dated 10 August 2023.
“As you will also know, this homicide has attracted widespread regional and international attention to Grenada. In a media posting, it has been reported that world-renowned film director and actor Tyler Perry stated, about the deceased, that “…he was a young, gifted singer who was murdered because he was gay…” Grenadians are concerned about these statements and their potentially damaging effects on our beautiful nation and reputation,” stated the letter.
Suggesting that as Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, he should update the nation on the progress of the investigation along with representatives from the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF), Dr Mitchell said that Grenadians at home and the world at large must see the efficiency and transparency of the process. “It has been almost 2 months without any discernible progress by the RGPF in this murder investigation. Meanwhile, concerns and suspicions are growing locally as 3 other homicides remain unsolved. The necessary support must be given to the Criminal Investigation Department to manage the task on their hand amidst the many different challenges and demands they face during this time of year,” declared Dr Mitchell, the immediate former Minister for National Security.
Shortly after discovering Robinson’s body, an autopsy reported that the young man died from accidental drowning. Another post mortem performed by Trinidadian forensic pathologist Professor Hubert Daisely, revealed that Robinson’s death was caused by manual strangulation.
Recently, Don Mckenzie, Acting Commissioner of Police said that Police have not discovered or identified a motive behind the murder of Robinson.
In a recent statement, the St Lucia-based Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE) said Robinson’s death has caused distress among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people in Grenada and across the eastern Caribbean, “emphasising underlying tensions in the region.
“More than a month after his death, there appears to be little progress on the case. The few updates that have been made available to the public have revealed little urgency in seeking a perpetrator or motive for his murder…Visible and robust action on this case to find and hold the murderer accountable would signal that every life matters, including LGBTQ+ lives,” ECADE said.
Tyler Perry, the prominent United States filmmaker and actor, as well as Yvette Noel, a US-based Grenadian-born adviser and publicist, have offered a reward of US$100,000 to anyone helping solve the 24-year-old’s murder.
Thoroughly agree with Storm on this one. The failings of our police service should not be party political. And for God sake show some humanity and respect when it concerns the death of human beings.
Why don’t the former prime minister ask for assistance from the FBI and Scotland Yard to investigate the shrimp farm project and other alleged criminals that conned the NNP administration.
Now slow down a bit with this one, as we have a police force that has lost it’s way for some time and this has nothing to do with the current administration.
Our police men and women are failing badly and they have reestablished the whole force.
One of the main reason for the increase in crime is down to the failure within the police force.
Time and time again you see the lack of professionalism from some of our police officers and that is a poor standard.
The government has to STOP allowing police to be used in private/commercial functions, the time these officers are out there doing the kind of work a private security company can and does will release a large number.ber of officers to concentrate on real police work which would help solve some of the unsolved crimes we currently have on the island.
Interesting as a victim of a break in the officers sent to investigate where almost dismissive and the look and demeanor suggested to me we had committed the theft
FYI we did not claim anything from insurance or any where else for loss of personal affects
While I deplore the unlawful killing of any individual and those responsible escaping the net of justice. The opposition leader as well as many other upstanding citizens has the right to voice his concern, seeking to bring the purpetrators to justice. But, to !strongly recommend” that the current PM seeks international assistance from international experts to ensure there are no lapse or “cover-up”. What is he suggesting? as the master of cover-up’s himself.
Strangely, we’ve had millions of dollars swindled from Grenada during his time in office. Where were the more experienced international community investigators then, were they called upon? Where are the records of this being initiated.
All crimes need attention. Check the agenda, however. Children are being trafficked all around the world. Here in Grenada, young children are being sexually abused. Not once has there been any requests for “outside assistance” because it’s ok for women and children to be harmed but now we are dealing with the death of a gay man a.k.a the agenda, and now we have “worldwide attention”. Hidden in plain sight. SMH. Tyler Perry, confusion at its finest – a man who has still not decided if he’s a man or a woman definitely should get our undivided attention. Ancestors please pay close attention to this matter.
Not a fan of the messenger, but I completely agree with the message. If unsolved murders/crimes continue to grow, the quality of life and reputation of Grenada will decline.