A mother who four years ago last two family members to acts of crime is hitting out at the insufficiencies of the Bahamian court system and demanding justice to finally be done.
In a special interview with The Tribune yesterday, a mother to a 16-year-old son and aunt to an 18-year boy – both of whom were killed in 2002 – Iamented the fact that four years have lapsed without any case being brought to court.
“It’s been four years and nothing has happened. What kind of country do we live in where young men can be killed and nothing is done about it?” she asked.
The mother explained that her son was shot in early 2002 and that her nephew – his cousin – was the only one of several witnesses who was prepared to testify in the murder case.
However, before he got the chance to take the stand, she said, her nephew was also killed. With the key witness dead, the case was called off.
“This happened four years ago and we still don’t have a court date. Each time I get asked to come to court they tell me ‘we’re so sorry, the court system is backed up, we’ll get in touch with you next year’,” she said.
Meanwhile, she said, the suspected perpetrators continue to be free, residing in her area.
“Sure one is out on bail, but what does that really mean? I see them every day,” she said. The mother said she wants to know what is wrong with the Bahamian court system for it to allow the administration of justice to be dragged out for so long.
“Why can’t we get justice, what is really happening? I think it’s so sad that we can live in a country where two young men can be murdered and nobody can even say when something will be done. As a parent, I am very disappointed and very hurt,” she said.
Because her nephew lived with her, she said, it is as though she has lost two sons.
“I’ve had so many people look at me ask how do I cope, and I say it’s because of the grace of the almighty God.
“But I cannot heal if I don’t get justice. It’s like putting band-aid over a deep wound: you know it’s only a matter of time until that gets infected,” she said.
She said that, despite all efforts, she is now “just a bitter mother wondering if this is the bes our courts can do.”
“I just want to know that we will have our day in court. I just want closure. No matter if they’re going bring it to a head, if they’re going to throw it out, if they’re going to say it’s finished, just don’t have us constantly come back to court and then do nothing,” she said.
With these kinds of circumstances, the mother said, she is not surprised if people are tempted to take justice into their own hands.
“We have two sets of families still hurting. I have a mother who has lost two grandsons, and far what? I’m deeply disappointed with our system,” she said.
By KARIN HERIG, Tribune Staff Reporter
