Dean Barrow is happy his son, Shyne, is in Belize

The P.M.’s press conference earlier today, though it was primarily about the economy, had a moment of personal reflection. On Wednesday, Barrow’s son, known as Jamal Barrow or Moses Michael Leviy was deported to Belize. His son had a budding career as Shyne, a New York recording artist when he was incarcerated for a shooting at a Manhattan nightclub almost a decade ago. Barrow had not seen him in years and he said solemnly today that he was stunned to see how he has changed.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“When I saw him yesterday I was stunned. You don’t go to jail for that period of time. It’s obviously exacting a huge toll on you but I really was shocked to see what it had physically done to him. Clearly it will take some time for him to be able to recover from that experience. Not having gone through it myself, I don’t know whether one is ever able to recover. But it was wonderful to see that he is free at last, good to have him in Belize. Although he appeared physically frail, it was obvious that he was mentally strong as ever. He certainly kept talking to me about what his presence here at home could mean for this country, what opportunities he could cause us to be able to—he could create for us and I was certainly very impressed and gratified by that. I was also greatly pleased that the first thing he did was to go to the Youth Hostel. But I understand that in due course, he will speak to you himself and so perhaps I ought to leave it here. Good to have him home.”

Shyne has rented an entire floor at the Radisson Fort George until construction of an extension on the home of his uncle, Michael Finnegan, is complete. One of Shyne’s attorneys is arriving in Belize on Saturday and is expected to speak to the media.