YOUTH DETAINED IN SCOTLAND YARD, LOCAL POLICE SWEEP

At press time Wednesday, a 22-year-old man of Sion Hill was assisting the police with their investigations into the death of Glenn Jackson, former Press Secretary and Personal Aide to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

Last Wednesday morning shortly after 9 o’clock local police and two members of the Scotland Yard team investigating Jackson’s homicide raided the young man’s Sion Hill home. The house was cordoned off as the police conducted a search lasting over three hours. Later that afternoon a search was carried out at a Cane Garden residence where the young man previously resided.{{more}}

It was just the day before in a snap press conference that Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves announced that the police have given him the assurance that they are already in possession of substantial information, including forensic evidence, which is likely to lead to the detention and arrest of Jackson’s killer or killers.

But amidst this new development, the Prime Minister made another appeal for the public to come forward with any information regarding the brutal murder of his former Press Secretary and Personal Aide.

Jackson, a journalist and political activist, was discovered dead in the back seat of his vehicle at Cane Garden on Monday, March 6, with a single gun shot wound which penetrated his sternum area and exited his back. This homicide was the first for the year and is believed to have taken place the night before, March 5.

“I have been assured by the Police investigators, including those from Scotland Yard that the investigation into the murder of Glenn Jackson is at a stage where other bits of information are needed to wrap up the investigation successfully,” said Dr. Gonsalves, as he pressed on the public for its cooperation. The Prime Minister added that the team of investigators is confident that they will bring the killer or killers to justice.

Since Monday the Prime Minister has intensified his appeal to the conscience of Vincentians. “Somewhere out there somebody has seen something, know something… you have seen or what you have heard in some way which may help to solve this particular murder,” said Dr. Gonsalves adding, “I am pleading with the people of St.Vincent and the Grenadines. We owe it to our community…we owe it to Glenn, we owe it to his family.”

A reward of $100,000 has been offered by the Government to anyone if his or her information leads to the arrest, charge, and conviction of the person or persons responsible for murdering Jackson.

Dr. Gonsalves gave the assurance that the reward will still be available if the information is of real value to the investigation even though a legal technicality may subsequently result in an acquittal of the person charged.

He is of the view that people in possession of information need not worry since all information provided will be confidentially assessed and evaluated.

“Please have no fear or discomfort on this matter. The team of Police Investigators on this case are of the highest quality and can be trusted with your confidence,” Prime Minister Gonsalves advised.

Members of the Scotland Yard investigating Jackson’s murder returned to the state on Wednesday, April 19.

On Tuesday, April 18, two members assisting the local police with the investigations met with Prime Minister Gonsalves in London and briefed him on their progress.

During Tuesday’s press conference the Prime Minister did not take any questions and he made it known that the terms of his appeal have been approved by the team of investigators, including those from Scotland Yard.