Prezi's deal shocks Tivoli
Published:Thursday | September 1, 2011 | 12:00 AM
News that Jamaican drug kingpin Christopher 'Dudus' Coke pleaded guilty to narcotics and firearm-related charges in the United States (US) yesterday reverberated among residents in his former west Kingston stronghold of Tivoli Gardens.
The emotions ranged from shock and compassion among residents who spoke in hushed tones as they huddled throughout the community to devastation for one member of the Coke clan, who spoke to The Gleaner on the condition that he not be named.
"Surprising ... I wasn't expecting this," the Coke family member told The Gleaner when informed of the guilty plea.
"I'm devastated," he confessed, adding that Coke did not give any indication in conversations with relatives from his jail cell in New York that he was contemplating changing his plea.
The development has also raised concerns for the west Kingston police.
Senior Superintendent Terrence Bent, who heads the division, said the police would increase their presence in the area and urged the men and women under his command to increase their awareness.
However, for residents in the Tivoli Gardens community where Coke held sway for years after taking over from his father, Lester Lloyd Coke, this unexpected twist in his long legal battle was a shocker.
"Lawd Mr Dee, me can't deal wid that right now," said one shocked resident with her hands clasped over her head when she heard the news.
"Me neva expect say a man like him did a go do that," she continued, as if to explain her reaction.
Others, however, were quick to show their loyalty to the man many of them praised for maintaining peace in the community and sending their children to school.
Mother's death an influence
"Anything wha we don a do, we deh behind him same way," said one woman.
"Him must know what is the right thing fi him," said another woman, who was one of several residents who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Some residents also suggested that the recent death of his mother, Pauline 'Patsy' Halliburton, could have influenced Coke's decision.
"Him probably a say him no have nutten more fi live fah," said another resident, pointing out that he was very close to his mother, who died last week.