193 / 494
192
8.87.
Ms. James saw drinks from Adina Darby’s cooler scattered past her
doorway. She stayed with her cousin Danny, until Thursday, 27 May.
8.88.
Ms. James said that, on reaching her house, she saw four soldiers
there. They refused to open the gate even though she offered them the keys.
She had to “force” the grill gate open to go inside because of the debris that was
still on her verandah. Two soldiers followed her and searched the house. She
said that they tore down the ceiling to the kitchen. She said the compensation
of $75,000.00 which she received was not enough and, five years later, the
house has still not been repaired.
FINDINGS
8.89.
Ms. James’ house was damaged when a mortar probably
exploded nearby on 24 May. On 27 May, the damage to the ceiling of
the kitchen was caused by members of the JDF. To the extent that the
compensation she received was, in her opinion as well as ours, not
adequate, there should be further investigation of this matter.
(xxvi) Minnette Lindsay
8.90.
This witness lived at 1 McKenzie Drive, Rasta City. On 24 May she
left her house and went to her mother-in-law at Building #34 or 36, Flat 2,
Drecketts Place in Lizard Town. Ms. Lindsay returned to her home on
Wednesday, 2 June 2010 when she saw that her house and contents had been
burnt flat. She valued the house at $2 million and the contents also at
$2 million. She received $250,000.00 as compensation. During her evidence-in-
chief, Ms. Lindsay testified of seeing brutality to residents by JDF soldiers; of
seeing a soldier shoot Sydney Clarke in his head while he was running and of
Capt. Garth Anderson “sitting by some railings” when Clarke was shot. She also
said in answer to the Chairman that Capt. Anderson was “not close to Sydney
when he was shot”. Cross-examination of Ms. Lindsay by Mr. McBean Q.C.