I'm sorry. I meant to lead off with I agree with Bluwater's last post totally.

Bluewater,

I had previously posted on how disturbing the murder (which I believe is unsolved) at the Best Western Emerald Beach was. I think that happened 7/20/7.

Is that what you are referring to citing 6/15/7? If not, please restate the particulars to which you refer.

Sad, confused, conflicted, angry, that is how I feel. I've been a full time resident for 8 years now. Not such a long time, but I have seen St. John change drastically during my time here. I will apologize first off for this post being scattered. I have been keeping up on all of the forums, all of the news reports, and a good bit of island rumor and it has left me feeling just that scattered.
First and foremost, I am truly sorry for the senseless death of Jamie. My thoughts go out to his friends and family. There wasn't/isn't much I could do in bring some justice to Jamie, I have done what I can by saving all of the posts removed from TripAdvisor, and any other info I could find and emailing it to any government official I could find an email address for and printing copies of it out and dropping it for Foy at the STJ Police Station. I do hope that the people responsible for this murder will be put away for a long time.
After thinking about what the police officers deal with here I've come to no real conclusions, but have thought about the following: PAY-An officers pay is less than $30k a year. On St. John, that amounts to just about nothing. They have to pay the same $8 for a gallon of milk just like the rest of us who live and visit here. The cost of living here is so high that I don't know how anyone could really survive on that amount, let alone attempt to have a family with that kind of income. FAMILY-We're on an island here...it seems that almost everybody is related in some way. Something I hear a lot from West Indians, "He's/She's my cousin." It took me a little bit to understand this, but what I have called a cousin is not what they would consider a cousin. A cousin is anyone who is related to you on your branch of a the tree on any level (blood, marriage, removed, whatever). The chances of a "conflict of interest" for police is almost guaranteed. TRAINING-I recently read an article online (VI Daily News) from 2004 that said that VI detectives receive no special training, the only training they have had is the same as street officers, just the police academy. They also do not have a crime lab, and have little to no training on crime scene investigation.....WHAT??? How do we fix these problems, I really don't know. I guess you could say import all of the police from the sates, and pay them a lot more, but that opens another can of worms.
Do I think Foy is trying to make improvements, yes, I do. The man admitted publicly that STJ was the dumping ground for bad cops. He said that has changed, and I hope that is the fact. What is it they say?? the first step to recovery is admitting there is a problem? Also, as I have Seen with my own eyes, we have new cops on the beat here. The past 2-3 weeks I've seen new faces, young, enthusiastic, friendly faces in police uniforms walking around STJ. I would love to see bigger changes, but I do realize it all takes some time. I think that the people of STJ need to be diligant about reporting police infractions. Unfortunately, I do think that we will individually have to pay for that diligence (with a level of harassment from those that get reported) , but if we can all be strong, maybe we can make STJ a better place for everyone.
Something else to think about... what is happening to STJ? There has been so much development here and we are getting to big for our britches. There is so much building go on, so many expensive homes being built by part time residents. This is not an easy place to live sometimes. You see these huge developments, huge scars in the landscape, to much traffic, a blatant disrespect for the culture and way of life of those who were raised here. Did anyone check out one of the other big stories on STJ now? Not as disgusting as murder, but disgusting in it's own way, new property assessment? The people who have been here all of their lives are being forced out. Check out some of the reassessment values, some are 1100% more than what they were assessed at in the past. OUCH! STJ is going through a lot of turmoil dealing with the explosive growth we are experiencing. How do we fix this... again, I don't know.
Something I've seen time and time again.... people come here on vacation and leave their common sense at home. I cannot tell you the number of times visitors have come here and walked around our "markets" taking up the entire isle, clogged up the single check out by running around adding items, walked in the middle of the road, barked out their orders to various service people, and basically acting like they are the only people on STJ. I will say that I tend to give these people the benefit of the doubt and try to politely correct them. These people are by FAR a MINORITY with the visitors to STJ, just like all the thugs of STJ are a minority. For the most part, the people who visit STJ have the right attitude, and the people who live here are the same. If you come to STJ please remember that this is not like the states, there is a different culture here, a different way of life, please treat STJ and it's residents like you are visiting their home (because you are) and be on your best behavior. If you have a hard time relaxing, STJ is probably not the place for you. If you think that we are crime free and you can drink, acquire drugs, disrespect the culture, without getting into some kind of trouble, please stay home. In NO WAY am I implying that a murder of ANYONE is acceptable. Jamie's death is a tragedy. I want to say again that I hope the people responsible rot in jail. I do not care what Jamie did or didn't do to invoke a confrontation, the fact that he is dead now, and it could be prevented, is completely unacceptable. PLEASE just make sure you pack your common sense when you come here....I want you to love this place like I do, but I want you to be safe and avoid being a victim of anything while you are here.
Like I said, this is a lot of rambing confusion that I've put down here. It's hard to be silent on this type of forum, but my thoughts are all over the place right now. I just thought I'd share a little of me with all of you....

Here's another side to the story.

Dear Mrs. Cockayne
and members of the St. John Community,

My name is Luke McCain and I have resided on St. John for four years now and resided with my mother in Tortola for years before I made my move to St. John. I am originally from Pennsylvania.
This crime was not a racial or hate crime.

Your son would get completely drunk and get into confrontations with people of every race. He came up to me and my friends one night and started yelling in our faces. I believe we did the right thing by ignoring him, but, alas, I had seen him in many confrontations throughout Cruz Bay, unfortunately.

In all the years I have been living down here I have never received a comment or been confronted about my race or anything else for that matter.

It is very unfortunate that he was murdered. But now the police are trying to arrest two innocent men. How do I know you ask? One of them is my roommate and the other is a friend.

After reading the police blogs and all the letters about this I am upset. I was home all that night and my roommate was home well before the murder and my friend was with fellow friends outside of Cruz Bay at the beach.

Investigations do take time, especially in a small place like this with an under tasked police force.
I am sorry for the grief you are undergoing and I am sure many other members of the community are as well. But please do not have innocent people put in jail.

Sincerely,
Luke McCain

I found this on the St John Tradewinds newspaper web site. along with another interesting story from Mrs Cockayne. Once again I will say I am sorry a life was taken. Hopefully this will all come to an end with one perpetrator in custody.

RL

Thanks Julie,
I for one appreciate your common sense approach. I too hope that the murderer(s) will be brought to justice....there will never be closure for Jamie's parents...unfortunately I know that there is no such thing as closure when you have lost your child. I think however that the Cockaynes will reap a small bit of satisfaction in knowing that their son's killer will be held accountable for the heinous act of violence perpetrated upon Jamie. Your eloquence when speaking about St. John is very touching. God bless....mia

stjohnjulie,

Your post was not rambling confusion at all!

I believe you have managed to say what I have been thinking, but through my posts wasn't exactly conveying in the best way, although I stand by my posts. I first stepped on St John in 7/2003, and have been back six times since. Boy, have I seen the changes also. As they say, change is constant.

I remember I was in the little Westin food store one time, and this woman was acting like the girl behind the counter should treat her with this perky little smile and attitude, like she was in Panera Bread or something back at home. I don't even act like that at home. Now, taking into consideration the difference in culture and the princess attitude of the customer, can you imagine how the locals feel when someone spending all this money to vacation can't even wait a few minutes for an order?

Again, your post was excellent! RIght on the mark!

stjohnjulie,

thought you might find this of interest, regarding property asessments............

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_region/8268252.html

Ok, so Ronnie's article is stating the the man who was arrested was innocent and has an alibi. Interesting - and worth consideration. After all, if nepotism is the issue, then I suppose the police will simply replace the real murderer with someone they've deemed worthy of some time in jail. Maybe this suspect pissed somebody off 3 month ago, and this is his punishment for it - being the "stand in" for the real killer. Ron, your post makes the case even more sad - and more dangerous. In that light, the real killer is still free on STJ, the system is even more corrupt, and we're all less safe than we thought we might have been on Friday night when there was an arrest.

As far as race goes , if that doesn't matter, I'd be surprised.

I can tell you that I've witnessed my own son being confronted for the color of his skin. Our background is mixed - me being half black and half white - and my son being half me - and half Hispanic. But, he was "yellow" to the young man who called him that in front of the Offshore Bar on St Thomas when that young man wanted money from my son (I witnessed this confrontation)- and we're just visitors with a small glimpse into the 365 day-a-year issues. My son hadn't said a word to the man - and returned to my car without a response to the man and said to me "not a good place to go tonight'" - and off we went. I'm tired of being so sensitive, so worried, so on-edge about offending someone. We're from a large city - and we live IN the city......but we're more on edge down there. It's a devil we don't know or understand.

MLS, no, I am not talking about the murder at the Bes Western.

June 16 - Daryl Paris (age 22) was shot and killed on St Thomas. Witnesses heard more than 10shots fired
June 15 - 18 yr old male shot in Tutu - he lived
June 15 - male in late 30s/early 40s shot and killed in Mariendahl area of St Thomas
June 15 - 19yr old male shot multiple times - at the press time of the article I read, the extend of his injuries left him unable to convey any info to the police. I am not sure if he lived.
June 1 - Pauliano Remy shot and killed on St Thomas, allegedly by 18 r old Akeem Corrapse. In this case, local witness(es) came forward and resulted in arrest.

Anyone see a theme with the ages of the victims and alleged assailants?

Yes, thank you. I still continue to process everything and thank you all for your input. I ask you all, please let me know of anything I may have missed. Neposter-Your comments here have been taken into great consideration on my part... and seem to be very candid.
To ALL that have wished us well on STJ, I appreciate your efforts, we will not forget what you have done for us.
For everyone who has felt unsafe, unprotected and violated while visiting my home... I am sorry. We have a big job ahead of us, and I do hope that we can show you all that most of us have our hearts in the right place.

Well said, Julie. Thank you.

I don't have much to add, but I do have a request.
I am disheartened to see this tragic murder referred to as "The Front Yard Murder." Since it didn't happen there and the people there have nothing whatsoever to do with this event, please, please don't refer to it in this way. These two young men could have met in any bar with the same results.
Whether the Front Yard is a place you frequent or not, this is a business run by decent people. Please respect this.
Thank you for this.
-Ruth

I didn't realize that the article posted by Ronnie implied that the wrong man had been arrested.
Luke McCain wrote, "But now the police are trying to arrest two innocent men. "
I didn't think that he was referring to the man who is presently behind bars.....am I missing something?

There is a warrant out for two more people.

RL

I got the feeling these were arrests of possible accomplices??
The letter also made me feel very sad for everybody really. And, I'm talking
about all who live there.

I wish people would stop and think about these second homes in ski areas, on islands, at lakes.
I know first hand what it's like to have this mindless crap eating up space and impacting the people who
choose to live in these places full time, impacting the environment, impacting government services.
Why not just rent a place when you visit. This land grab, keep up with the in-crowd mentality literally sucks. And, believe me no one's impressed by these big eyesores, not even your shallow friends, so save it. And, while you're at it stop buying those magazines that glamorize this ridiculous practice.

"I wish people would stop and think about these second homes in ski areas, on islands, at lakes"

Wowie, kapowie that doesn't make sense.

/thread hijacked??????

Promo,
Reread St.JohnJulie's post.

Not hijacked, just a response to what she said,,,a verification.

Actually I was commenting on my comment, which was a comment about your comment about the retraint of my basic right to build.

/just a comment.

It's now on CNN on the 'net:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2007/08/07/kaye.island.murder.mystery.cnn

Another arrest has been made.

(AP) U.S. Virgin Islands Authorities have arrested a man accused of threatening a witness in the slaying of a 21-year-old Pennsylvanian in the U.S. Virgin Islands, police said Tuesday.

Ryan Meade, a 31-year-old resident of St. John, was arrested Monday, police Commissioner James McCall said at a news conference. The suspect in the killing, Kamal Thomas, was arrested Friday and charged with first-degree murder, assault and weapons possession.

The victim, James Cockayne, of New Hope, Pa., was stabbed to death June 19 on the island of St. John as he waited to begin work at a yacht club. Investigators have not disclosed a motive.

Witnesses said Cockayne got into a bar fight the night of his death and was struck over the head with a pool cue before he and Thomas were ordered to leave, according to court documents.

I read on another thread that the guy arrested yesterday has already been released by Judge Leon Kendall without posting any bail. Apparently Judge Kendall has a habit of doing such things. You can read about it here:
http://www.judicialwatch.org/archive/2007/virginislands.complaint.pdf

Link please.