Readers excited over ‘Crimes that rocked the nation’ series Hot

Readers of the Sunday Observer have given the thumbs up to the weekly series “Crimes that rocked the nation” written by veteran journalist Sybil E Hibbert. Here are some of their comments:

Dear Ms Hibbert,

I am totally intrigued by your articles and felt compelled to convey my utmost congratulations on your writing and sense of style, having regard for the historical context. I would like to find out whether you would be kind enough to publish the Hylton murder trial that took place in Kingston in (I guess) 1960. Continue the good work and all the very best.

Courtney A B Hamilton, chamilton@hamiltonlawja.com, Hamilton & Hamilton

Dear Mrs Hibbert,

I have been thoroughly enjoying the crime feature stories in the Sunday Observer newspaper recently and urge you to continue. I am sure the supply will never be exhausted! Thank you very much and I look forward to the conclusion of Mary Lynch's murder trial in next Sunday's paper.

Moira Charley, moiracharley@gmail.com

Dear Ms Hibbert,

I was very concerned when I read that your newspaper thought it necessary to revisit the above, due to the excessive murders now prevailing in today's Jamaica and the fact also that my brother Trevor Anthony Berbick, former World Heavyweight Boxer, was brutally murdered, an act that I relive almost everyday and still have not come to terms with! However, I must commend you for the manner in which you wrote the story (your story, in fact). It was done with much sensitivity and focused on the right areas. I believe this to be an exceptional piece which should be listed under the heading "Classics". My only regret is that Renford Solomon was not psychoanalysed so we could have at least gleaned the reason for his actions and what triggered it in light of the professed kindness to the couples' daughter, whose throat he slashed although she begged for her young life. (D'Lawrence, Obeah, I don't buy that theory!) I do not know personally how many more of these stories I can read (I know Mrs Mary Lynch personally as a former customer) and read that story when it happened and so I will not read it again. I do hope though that by reprinting these graphic stories, other persons with murder in their hearts, will learn that they will always be caught! Problem is when it affects someone in your family, there is no end in sight for the heart-wrenching and tremulous feeling of loss that you endure and have to live with. Der Nerv tut weh

J Elaine Dreyer, dreyer.ej@hotmail.com

Dear Ms Hibbert,

I would like you to feature the murder of Christine Hewitt. For so long I've been wanting to hear what happened to the case as far as everyone knows. I think you will get all the readers’ attention. I know there are great minds behind the Observer so only you guys would come up with such an interesting topic. Congrats, looking forward to the series.

Anonymous

Dear Ms Hibbert,

Why would you want to focus on such negative and gruesome matters of the past? We are experiencing enough NOW. How will this help us to improve? Let us think on ‘whatsoever things are lovely and are of good report'. I do hope you will rethink your plan, determine the purpose and act accordingly.

V Seymour

Dear Ms Hibbert,

This series is a very, very good idea. You have a wide repertoire to draw from. I can hardly wait for Sunday. Sybil Hibbert is goooood! I would like to see the Leslie Hylton murder trial covered. I would also like to see the murder trial of Professor Aubrey Fraser. His son and wife were implicated but they both were acquitted after a very interesting trial. Also, the very intriguing Arnold and Diaz murder case about some Cubans who were murdered on South Camp Road.

Ellis Russell lloyd.rssll@gmail.com

Dear Ms Hibbert,

Unfortunately, the list of murders is long but the ones that involved children haunt me the most. These include Dianna Smith (I think that was her name), the Immaculate School girl murdered in the 80's; the children found in that cane piece in Westmoreland about [six to seven] years ago; the family that was wiped out in St Thomas, I think it was three children, two adults. The little girl’s body was found in St Mary; the body [dumped] somewhere near Jacques Road (Mountain View), it was a high-profile murder or kidnapping that led the police to find it. What was the end result of that?

Damaris Mayne

Dear Ms Hibbert,

I just read the Renford Solomon story and it was breathtaking. He alone makes the murderers of today seem like pussy cats. I wish you had gone to hear what he had to say. It is a mystery that'll haunt me now as it does you... that is if does.

Francoiswilson85@yahoo.com

Dear Ms Hibbert,

Congratulations on your writings but there are a few errors I would like to point out to you. Based on the year/years this trial (George Porter) took place, certain ministers that you have named could not be ministers at that time. The JLP won the elections in 1962 and the Speaker of the House was Tacious Golding (father of Bruce Golding) who remained in that position until the 1967 elections. The JLP won back the elections in 1967 and that was when ECL Parkinson was appointed Speaker of the House. As for Dr Kenneth McNeil (father of now tourism minister), he did not sit in the House with Norman Manley as history will tell you that it was Dr Ken McNeil who succeeded Norman Manley as member of Parliament when the latter retired. It is instructive to know that the first time Dr Kenneth McNeil was appointed to the Cabinet was in 1972 when he was made minister of health and environmental control.

Kenrick Scott, Kscott51@hotmail.com

Dear Ms Hibbert,

I loved the article on the first cop to be sentenced to death for murder in Jamaica. I live in Florida so most of the news about Jamaica is by [The Jamaica Observer]. Thank y’all, love it.

Anonymous

Dear Ms Hibbert,

The murder case of JGRA President Lloyd G Brown and his fiancée, Sandra Campbell, to date is seen as one of the biggest high-profile cases that has not been solved. The perpetrators were arrested, and some have been freed and yet the mastermind and the motive for the double killings still remain a mystery. I would love if the details of this case could be re-examined as there seem to be no closure to this unbelievable tragedy. As the years have passed and the new year begins, it is still something that I face on a daily basis and think about everyday. It's just more painful memories, and the fact that we are still without resolution; it is still devastating and frustrating for his children, the entire family, his staff, and friends. There needs to be continued investigations until we find out who is responsible. Thank you so very much for your time! - LG's Sister.

Evelyn Brown, Mathematics Department,

Ronald Reagan Doral

Senior High School,

brown31@dadeschools.net

Dear Ms Hibbert,

This is an excellent article on Renford Solomon. Well one, so good. I had to visit someone and postponed it for another date. Ps: She was very angry but it’s worth it. Andrew Alves, alvesthegreat@gmail.com

Dear Ms Hibbert, Good day. I read the Observer daily but for the past two Sundays these two articles — Horrific and The Mary Lynch Murder Trial — have been riveting. I was so disappointed that I have to wait until next week for part 2. Keep up the good work

kayona22@yahoo.com

Dear Ms Hibbert,

Try the Tadius Hyatt Story of Labrynth, St Mary, where thirteen were killed and seventeen wounded. I think it was in 1959 or 1960.

Big Boy bereslewis@yahoo.com

Dear Ms Hibbert,

What was the outcome of the Mary Lynch murder trial??

ammeshassamuels@gmail.com

See the Sunday Observer for the continuation of the series “Crimes that rocked the nation”. Send comments to allend@jamaicaobserver.com