Mark Dawes, Staff Reporter
Last week in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court, Detective Constable Carey Lyn-Sue confessed he had fabricated evidence in an April 2006 murder case in which 20-year-old Jason James was charged.
Detective Constable Lyn-Sue was at the time attached to the Area One Accident Reconstruction and Investigative Unit. Immediately following his disclosure, Police Commissioner Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin suspended the detective constable from duty.
The following are some responses of Christian ministers to the confession of Detective Constable Lyn-Sue.
Dr. Donald Stewart, pastor, Portmore Lane Covenant Community Church:
Stewart
It is always a difficult challenge for persons to confront the 'live skeletons' of their past, especially in a culture which seems more content to let sleeping dogs lie, than to come clean with the truth.
I, therefore, congratulate the gentleman, not on his initial wrong-doing, but on his having the guts to now come out of the closet to face the uncertain music.
There is a time in every person's life when he/she must be prepared to confront his/her conscience and start living by convictions, instead of convenience. It would appear, from all indications, that Detective Lyn-Sue has now come to that crossroads in his life.
The fact that his statements and actions have implicated other police officers seems to have created quite a stir among his colleagues. Could this not be another clear case of the hypocrisy and double standards (within the force), that many of us citizens already know about (and some have not lived long enough to expose)?
My desire is that his bold confession become the catalyst that will flush out many, if not all, of those immoral, heartless, and wicked 'bad apples' that are at present parading around in police uniforms.
Rev. Dr. Roy Notice, pastor, Mandeville New Testament Church of God:
Notice
The confession of Detective Constable Carey Lyn-Sue is of great significance because of where we are at in our nation's history and also because of the negative perception that many persons have of the JCF. There is a sense in which many Jamaicans have come to a point where they believe that there will be no end to corruption and chicanery in this country. The confession gives us a flicker of hope that all is not lost and has reminded us, in a very forceful way, that faith in Jesus Christ has a radical transformational impact on people's lives. This faith brings life to consciences and rekindles our humanity and our sense of morality.
This confession also should be used as a catalyst to ignite the hearts of others to also come forward as we strive for a time of truth and reconciliation. Jamaica needs a 'wash-out'. The soul of the nation needs cleansing and confession is one of the important steps that we should take towards this cleansing.
The opportunity must be seized as a nation to venture further along the path of openness and honesty. There is more to be confessed in this nation from persons from all levels of the society.
When confession is coupled with a commitment to change (repentance), there will be no stopping the flow of blessing and healing in this nation.
Rev. Peter Garth, president, Jamaica Association of Evangelicals:
Garth
It is my belief that Detective Constable Carey Lyn-Sue was suffering from guilt. His decision for Christ obviously influenced him to make the confession. A confession of this nature must be taken seriously because it has serious implications for him in terms of his job and being put in prison. What he did initially cannot be overlooked, but in life there is always a place for forgiveness, which is the power and the possibility to deal with the past. My word to the larger Jamaican community is, "Let him that is without sin cast the first stone."
What he has done can ignite a tremendous flame in Jamaica for the good of everyone. I think one of the big problems in this country is that we tend to call evil good, and good evil. When someone does what is right it should be commended. The real problem is that we are just simply not good enough in Jamaica to see what is good and what is just. His first action must be condemned and his final action in relation to the particular case commended.
Rev. Devon Dick, pastor, Boulevard Baptist Church, St. Andrew:
Dick
The confession shows that there is power in Christ. A changed life in Christ does make a difference. It shows great possibilities that if persons take their Christian faith seriously and understand the implications of the Christian faith, then justice could be enhanced in Jamaica.
The confessor must be commended and supported for speaking the truth and encouraged to take the next step manfully, that of serving his time for the serious false testimony he gave.
mark.dawes@gleanerjm.com