Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

CHURCH LEADERS have lauded Detective Constable Carey Lyn-Shue for recently admitting to having fabricated evidence in a murder case, arguing that his confession could encourage colleagues and others who have done wrong in the past to come clean.

"I am not saying that he should not be chastised, but he was prepared to lay his entire future on the line," Bishop Delford Davis, president of the Jamaica Association of Full Gospel Churches, told The Sunday Gleaner yesterday. "The very fact that he came forward to confess the wrong he did, whatever judgement is made, it should be tempered with mercy," added Bishop Davis.

On Tuesday, Detective Constable Lyn-Shue, who is attached to the Area One Accident Reconstruction and Investigative Unit, told the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court that he had fabricated evidence in a case against 22-year-old murder accused Jason James. As a result of the constable's confession, a no-case order was made against James.

Reacting to Lyn-Shue's admission of wrongdoing, Commissioner of Police Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin on Friday condemned his past action and suspended him from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

Bishop Davis said Lyn-Shue could be used as an example for many persons in the society to come forward and speak the truth, adding that he did a noble thing in confessing.

Reverend Errol Bolt, senior pastor at Kencot Christian Fellowship, expressed similar sentiments.

"What he did was very atrocious and dishonest and contrary to what he swore to do," Rev. Bolt told The Sunday Gleaner. "However, I really do admire him for coming forward, knowing the consequences."

Example for wrongdoers

The senior pastor noted that while he could not overlook the "despicable behaviour" of the detective constable, it could be an example for others who have done wrong in the past.

"It is an example for politicians who have done things in the past, like placing guns in the hands of men, to come forward and say, 'I have done this in the past and I am sorry' to Jamaica and Jamaicans," said Rev. Bolt. "It is an example of where we need to go as a country," he added.

Reverend Al Miller, pastor of Fellowship Tabernacle, was cautious in commending Detective Constable Lyn-Shue. He noted that police personnel have fabricated evidence in the past.

"On what basis now do we believe that this is the truth?" Rev. Miller said, questioning whether the policeman's action was an attempt to pervert the course of justice.

"If it is the truth, he spoke to clear his conscience. That is positive, and that is what we need," remarked Rev. Miller, who is also a member of a truth and reconciliation committee.

"We have been praying for the need for the truth because we cannot move a country forward, as the truth is necessary for the healing of the nation."

Detective Constable Lyn-Shue told The Gleaner on Friday that he was not sorry for confessing, adding that he was now at peace with God.

"That was most definitely the right thing to have done. Speak the truth and speak it ever, cost it what it will," said Bishop Everton Thomas of the Jamaica Pentecostal Union.