Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
THE TWO men who were picked up after the brutal shooting death of Linval Thompson, a 23-year-old accountant clerk, on Wednesday morning, have since been released.
A spokesperson at the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) told The Gleaner yesterday that the men were released because there was no evidence linking the men to the murder.
PROTECTION PROGRAMME
In the meantime, head of the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB), Assistant Commissioner George Williams, said at the time of Thompson's death, the deceased was not a witness in any case before the court.
Reports are that about three years ago, he gave evidence in a court matter in which his mother, Hyacinth Vaughn, and stepfather, Milton Gray, were killed during an attack by eight men. The incident occurred on 100 Lane, off Red Hills Road, St. Andrew. In the aftermath, four of the eight men were arrested, convicted and sentenced to death.
"At that time, the Witness Protection Programme was introduced to him, but he opted not to go on the programme," said ACP Williams.
JFJ CALLS FOR AID
Instead, Thompson resettled elsewhere and established a strategy to keep a low-key presence. The case was disposed of more than a year ago and Thompson then seemed to have dropped his guard.
The police said about five days ago, one of the four men who were implicated in the double murder of Thompson's mother and stepfather was picked up by the police and was set to be charged.
Yesterday, Jamaicans For Justice, in a news release, described Thompson as "decent, respected and hardworking", and called on members of the public with information to "come forward to ensure that the perpetrators can be brought to justice."
