Mourners of Deron “Sharky” Bethel, determined that justice be done and there be “no cover-up” in investigations into his death at the hands of the police, mounted a placard protest as they marched to the cemetery Saturday.
Friends of Mr Bethel led a short march from John F Kennedy Drive to the Lakeview Memorial Gardens, where they hoisted various placards.
One of the placards read, “Sharky says: ‘I will never see my unborn child. This is not fair.’
On Saturday morning at the Baptist Bible Church, persons said farewell to Deron. Family and friends claim that Deron, 20, was an innocent victim of a police shooting.
Persons attending the funeral wore t-shirts with a picture of Deron and the words “Sharky wants no cover-up.”
Among those attending was Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson, who is the MP for Pinewood Gardens. She assured mourners that there would be no cover up in the investigation. The congregation applauded. “I am MP for the area and the attorney general and I am standing on holy ground. I want to assure all of you that there will be no cover-up in this investigation,” said Ms Maynard-Gibson.
Felix Bethel, friend of the family, said there is a need and yearning for justice.
Rodney Moncur, leader of the Workers Party and political activist, also spoke at the funeral.
At the burial, family members placed yellow carnations and roses on his coffin. His mother, Diana Bethel, sat at her son’s graveside in a daze. When Deron’s casket was being lowered into the ground, she reached for it and cried: I want my baby. In his obituary, Deron was described as an intelligent, creative and energetic young man who wanted the best for his family.
By TIFFANY GRANT Tribune Staff Reporter
