THE EDITOR, Sir:

LAST NIGHT while listening to the British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) newscast, Jamaica's name was mentioned and a killing that occurred here. It wasn't the killing of a prominent lawyer who had returned to serve her country and had her throat cut, nor was it the killing of a radiologist in Mandeville, nor was it the killing of an obstetrician and gynaecologist.

The BBC mentioned the death of 27-year-old Kay-Ann Lamont, who was killed because she had cursed what they termed indecent language. Corporal Dwayne Smart simply had a nervous breakdown, he didn't premeditate his actions, he wasn't a psychopath. By all reports, he was a Christian, community worker and decent human being.

Can we forgive? I don't know? What I do know is that he wasn't a monster. His frailty should humble all policemen and all who carry a firearm. In a moment of stress we can all fail. If you are a good husband or wife and suddenly you wipe out your entire family, it shows everyone that you have suffered some sort of psychological breakdown. No use-of-force policy could have prepared us for this. We mourn for them all. We shouldn't sensationalise this or condemn anyone; our society needs healing. God help us.

Mark Clarke

Siloah PO, St Elizabeth