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Thora
Best, daughter of slain JP Winston Best, speaks outside
the Forensic Sciences Centre, St James.
Slain
JP’s daughter appeals:
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Improve the lot of JPs
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JPs ought not to be so trusting
BY
GEISHA KOWLESSAR
As she stood outside the Forensic Science Centre in St James
yesterday contemplating her father’s tragic demise,
Thora Best momentarily closed her eyes and said a silent
prayer.
And it was an invocation she hoped would be felt in the
very heart of the authorities.
“I
hope my father’s life was not in vain.
“Whoever
has the will or power to do something to improve the lot
of JPs, let the life of Winston Best be the catalyst to
start this change now,” said Best.
Her father’s decomposing body was discovered on Saturday—nearly
a week after he was reported missing by worried family members.
An autopsy performed on his body yesterday revealed that
he was shot once in the head.
A JP for nearly 20 years, Best also served as chairman of
the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation. He went missing
from his home on February 24.
Best was expected to meet with Attorney General Bridgid
Annisette-George the next day (February 25) to discuss outstanding
issues, including greater protection for his colleagues.
He was also expected to testify in a High Court matter which
began yesterday.
Commenting on the manner in which her father’s life
was suddenly taken, Thora shook her head and appealed to
criminals—especially young wrongdoers—to turn
away from violence.
“I
feel so sorry for this young generation, that they feel
they must resort to violence to solve every problem,”
Thora said.
But refusing to condemn the entire youth population, Thora
acknowledged the presence of “many good young people
in society.”
“We
have so many good young people doing so many good things.
But there is a criminal element that is infiltrating and
encouraging people to do the wrong things,” she added.
Although still reeling from grief, Thora said the discovery
of her father’s body, had put many unanswered questions
to rest.
“It
is difficult. But the body being found means closure—closure
for the pain of wondering if my father would ever be returning
home.”
Message to JP
Perhaps it was her father’s good nature or his trusting
disposition which led him to be brutally slain.
And perhaps the underlying message coming out his death,
Thora said, was for other JPs not to be so unsuspecting.
“Obviously,
other JPs will be worried and I cannot blame them if they
refuse to do some of the things they are called upon to
do.
“And
perhaps they should not be so trusting.”
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