God, please wake up - victim's family mourns again after verdict

Tears flow afresh for the small community of Logwood, St Thomas, home to the family of Kayann Lamont, the pregnant woman who was killed in 2012.

On Monday, police corporal Dwayne Smart, the man indicted for her death, was freed of all charges, which included murder and wounding with intent.

Smart and Lamont were reportedly involved in an altercation after she was accosted for using expletives.

Lamont died leaving two daughters who were five and nine at the time.

"One of them birthday was Monday, the same day them hear seh nobody was charged with the death of their mother. Right now, one of them different, I don't even know what to tell you. From her mother dead her behaviour changed completely like she rebelling. Nobody cyah talk to her. She has become so cruel! I have to try my best with them," said Shemean Lamont, the girls' aunt

Cried injustice

Lamont's other sister, Novia Lamont, who was also shot in the incident, cried injustice.

"It's not fair to the family at all. We neva did a look for that! For him to get away with everything? He shot and killed my sister, then shot me in my shoulders and no charges at all? I haven't been able to work since. My babyfather have to be doing everything for me, cook, clean, wash. Nuh justice nuh deh a Jamaica!" she chanted.

Walking blindly

Shemean said she could not believe the verdict.

"When he (the juror) was asked about manslaughter and wounding with intent, him say not guilty again, suh mi say no man! This nuh real! God yu a sleep? If yuh sleeping God please wake up!" she wailed. "I rushed outside and from mi start walk, I don't even know where or how I reach where I was. I was walking blindly, I don't know how I never walk into a car! Mi a walk and a bawl and no tears!"

The entire family is now in pursuit of what they call justice for Kayann. They said the policeman needs to take care of Kayann's children until they turn 18, as Lamont was their breadwinner and since her death it has been very hard for them.

They said they would be grateful for a retrial to ensure they get justice. They said they would not do anything illegal, but would go as far as possible to ensure justice prevails.

And like a sad realisation one softly uttered: "Justice in Jamaica for poor people is 'just ice', when you think you have it, it just melts away right before your eyes."