The Eve of the Manslaughter Trial for Laddie Gillett’s Shooting Death
It’s the eve of the commencement of the manslaughter trial for former Police Corporal Kareem Martinez in Dangriga. It’s the jurisdiction where eighteen months ago, on July fourteenth, 2021, fourteen-year-old Laddie Gillett was shot and killed by Martinez in Placencia. Last Saturday, the Justice for Laddie Foundation organized a symposium ahead of the trial where they are calling for the appropriate punishment for the crime. Ahead of the trial starting, we asked ComPol Chester Williams for a comment.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I will not comment much because the matter is before the court. We have done our part in terms of conducting investigation, giving the file to the D.P.P. and the matter is now before the courts and we see where it goes from there.”
Demoi’s Williams
Demoi’s Williams, Director, Justice for Laddie Foundation [File: January 19th, 2023]
“We want to ensure these things never happen again. The first goal is to ensure that justice is served properly and that the punishment fits the crime and we would like to see that for the sake of Laddie and the family, but also to ensure that it never happens again.”
Emil Bradley
Emil Bradley, Former Guardian of Deceased [File: January 19th, 2023]
“It’s been rough, especially for my little son who grow up with Laddie. Seeing him sometimes looking at the tomb, he would say where is Laddie, is he coming back? But we are trying to be there for him, for others. We really appreciate the support we get from other people. Like Demmy said, not only for Laddie, but we would want to do this for others because I think it is time to put a stop to all the wrongdoings especially by law enforcement officers. So for us, this is just a starting point for others, so this is just where we are starting. Let me be careful with my words. With time, a lot of people ask, you guys are quiet, you are taking it cool. It’s not that. We are just trying to give the system a break and to see what the end result will be. Like Demmy mentioned early, we would like to see a fair conviction – whatever is being put on him after he is being convicted, if he is being convicted, enough for the crime that he has committed. It might seem hard, but we need to do this, we need to start at some point; we need to set an example. For other police officers to don’t sit and think that I can abuse my authority or my power that I have and nothing will be done.”
