‘Insta Boss’ family hails justice system as ex-cop sentenced to life imprisonment

Four years after her son, Kriston 'Insta Boss' Pearson, was gunned down by a policeman's bullet at Sorrow Lawn in Trinity, St Mary, Carolyn Proudlove and her family are lauding the country's justice system.

Her son's killer, Oshane Thompson, a former constable in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), has been sentenced to life imprisonment. He must serve 20 years and eight months before he is eligible for parole.

"It has been a long time in coming but as a mother, I am truly happy that justice was served," said a relieved Proudlove.

It was reported that Pearson and the former police officer had an altercation at a party in Trinity, which resulted in the shooting incident. Shortly after, Thompson resigned from the police force and left the island to the United States of America, where he was captured and deported to Jamaica to stand trial. He was found guilty of murder on September 24 and sentenced on November 26.

"Nothing will bring back by son or make up for this great loss, but I am happy that a guilty verdict was reached and that the ex-policeman will spend 20 years behind bars before he is eligible for parole," Proudlove said.

WASTED CAREER

She said that Thompson has "wasted his future and career over a woman as a result of this senseless and unjustified killing".

"I am, however, saddened by the loss of my son, and his six-year-old daughter keeps saying that her dad will be coming home soon," Proudlove said.

The mother told THE STAR that her family has been forced to endure a most challenging period, as not only did they have to come to grips with the passing of Pearson, but that they also had to find ways to heal themselves and to keep the family bonded together.

"Whenever his grandmother cooks stew peas, with pig's tail, she cries. Stew peas was his favourite meal and every time that my mother cook that particular pot, she burst into tears, as he is no longer around to enjoy that meal," Proudlove said.

Pearson leaves behind three children, two daughters (11 and six) and a four-year-old son. He is also survived by six sisters.