MILLICENT Forbes – mother of Janice Allen, the young girl killed by the police and for whom Forbes sought justice for years — has died.
Forbes died at the University Hospital yesterday.
She was described as “a true Jamaican hero, a picture of perseverance, courage, faith and integrity” by Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), the lobby group which publicised her case.
“It is with great shock and sadness that we learn of the death of Millicent Forbes,” JFJ said in a news release.
“We at JFJ extend our heartfelt condolences, prayers, thoughts and sympathies to her children Ann-Marie, Andre, Alicia, Sheronan, Latoya and Georgia, and the family and friends that she has left behind.”
Forbes lost her daughter to a policeman’s bullet in April 2000 and since the death, steadfastly pursued justice.
“She withstood threats, harassment, attempted bribery and repeated disappointments with unfavourable court decisions but she refused to give up,” JFJ said.
“Miss Milli always said that she would go the distance to see justice done for her daughter and was resolute in her fight. Her resolve and determination is her legacy to us and she has shown us that successes do not result from a single effort but rather through constancy and courage.”
Janice Allen, 13, was shot dead at her gate in Trench Town, West Kingston, on April 18, 2000. The police reported that she was killed during a shoot-out with gunmen.
A policeman was charged with murder, but was freed in March 2004 after the Supreme Court directed a jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty.
Backed by JFJ, Forbes took the case to the United Kingdom Privy Council after the local courts rejected her application for the verdict to be set aside.
The Privy Council, however, upheld the decision of the local courts not to set aside the jury’s verdict, but recommended that the director consider if the policeman should face another trial.
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