No commentary?

Is any commentary really necessary? It's a sad situation all the way around. Families have been destroyed by this. No input will change that.

Well, I suspect that since the person only registered to write that, that they may have had more to say. Hopefully we will hear something from the family thanking the inept system here for doing what they felt would not be done.

This may not be over if the accusations of witness tampering against members of the Cockayne family prove to be true.

Given the recent Golden Grove security problems on St. Croix Ward will probably be on the run, loose in the community in the next few months. Actually, I am glad to see a verdict on the case. It was disheartening to see the publicity on this case a year ago. People do not understand that action takes time on these islands and just because something doesn't take place a week or a month after the event doesn't mean it won't ever happen. We have to apply for our business license three months in advance to be sure to get it on time each year. Hopefully we do get an apologetic comment from the Cockayne family and an acceptance of the charges. My feelings go out to the family deeply as no one deserves to be stabbed to death for kicking tires regardless of their coherent drug or alcohol state. Hopefully this is the justifiable end to a terrible situation.

Lion, just curious...an apology from the Cockayne's for what???

Connie,

The decedent's mother posted on this board numerous times claiming USVI law enforcement is inept, while sixteen months after the murder, someone has been convicted of the crime. If you reread the thread you will see that lion is echoing Ronnie's sentiment, "Hopefully we will hear something from the family thanking the inept system here for doing what they felt would not be done."

Visitors who might be frightened about becoming a victim of crime in the VI,

The young man who was murdered was killed late at night after extensive verbal sparring with other bar patrons and, according to the medical examiner, with cocaine, marijuana, and more than ten drinks in his bloodstream. If you engage in these behaviors while here, you are taking great risks with your personal safety. If these are not practices you pursue while here, you will be as safe vacationing here as you would just about anywhere else.

Just to add to dntw8up;'s response, Jamie's father was quoted right after the trial as being "satisfied" with the verdict and understood that although the other two were let off with a much lighter sentence, the evidence submitted to the jury was what it was and insufficient to convict them further.

lionindasun: had you been following the local news you would know that in the aftermath of the recent breakout at Golden Grove Correctional Institution on STX, not only were the three escapees quickly apprehended (with one killed) but a whole bunch of "difficult" prisoners were subsequently transported to Federal mainland penitentiaries and several correctional department employees were arrested and charged in connection with that breakout. To say that "Ward will probably be on the run, loose in the community in the next few months." in this context is reprehensible in my opinion.

I don't think the Cockayne family needs to make an apology. Jamie's mum reacted from an emotional standpoint, had this murder emblazoned all over the US media, expected an immediate resolution and was of course dismayed at what she perceived as inaction from the VIPD as any grieving mother would do. That it was reacted to so vigorously by outsiders was difficult for those of us who live here, and those of us who posted in an effort to counteract all the negatives were pounced upon and sometimes blatantly accused of soft-pedaling in order to protect the tourist industry.

As far as rkurpier's response is concerned, it seems there was an issue when someone from the Cockayne entourage exited the courtroom after the verdict was announced and vandalized one of the defense attorney's vehicle. He planned to press charges and of course why not? I doubt that will be a cause celebre.

Good night!

Connie,

The decedent's mother posted on this board numerous times claiming USVI law enforcement is inept, while sixteen months after the murder, someone has been convicted of the crime. If you reread the thread you will see that lion is echoing Ronnie's sentiment, "Hopefully we will hear something from the family thanking the inept system here for doing what they felt would not be done."

Visitors who might be frightened about becoming a victim of crime in the VI,

The young man who was murdered was killed late at night after extensive verbal sparring with other bar patrons and, according to the medical examiner, with cocaine, marijuana, and more than ten drinks in his bloodstream. If you engage in these behaviors while here, you are taking great risks with your personal safety. If these are not practices you pursue while here, you will be as safe vacationing here as you would just about anywhere else.

Sorry dntw8up, but I don't agree with you on this at all. There's so many posts on different board about how inept the VI police departments are, even from their own residents. I'm sure Jaime's Mom was scared to death that the murder was going to be unsolved as so many other crimes are in the islands.

I still wonder what the perpetrators had in their system. I'll never believe that they were straight when they did this...never. After all, started at a bar, younger kids (maybe pot in their system), cocaine? There's a chance, but we'll never know. Why? They ran but they had Jaime's body to do an autopsy.

To blame anybody for their own murder is just rediculous. How many times was he stabbed?

Anyone who has the capability of stabbing to death another human being deserves what they got, or even better in my book. Takes ALOT of hate to do that.

STT...I agree with your post.

Connie,

I never blamed the victim; I only answered the question you posed to lion. I then noted that altercations in bars in the wee hours of the night while under the influence of illicit drugs and alcohol is generally dangerous, whereas responsible adult behavior is generally safe. You are certainly free to disagree with my assertion, but it seems irrefutable.

The perpetrator was convicted of murder one and there is nothing greater, so his drug/alcohol level seems irrelevant. You seem to crave details (what drugs were in the perpetrator's system, how many times was the decedent stabbed) but those sorts of details really aren't any of the public's business, and it is unseemly to be so engrossed in them.

Your remark that, "Anyone who has the capability of stabbing to death another human being deserves what they got, or even better in my book" is absurd. There are circumstances under which most people could stab someone to death, such as if someone were threatening to kill their kid. I know I could.

Many crimes are unsolved, both here and where visitors live; fortunately this crime isn't one of them.

Connie,

I never blamed the victim; I only answered the question you posed to lion. I then noted that altercations in bars in the wee hours of the night while under the influence of illicit drugs and alcohol is generally dangerous, whereas responsible adult behavior is generally safe. You are certainly free to disagree with my assertion, but it seems irrefutable.

The perpetrator was convicted of murder one and there is nothing greater, so his drug/alcohol level seems irrelevant. You seem to crave details (what drugs were in the perpetrator's system, how many times was the decedent stabbed) but those sorts of details really aren't any of the public's business, and it is unseemly to be so engrossed in them.

Your remark that, "Anyone who has the capability of stabbing to death another human being deserves what they got, or even better in my book" is absurd. There are circumstances under which most people could stab someone to death, such as if someone were threatening to kill their kid. I know I could.

Many crimes are unsolved, both here and where visitors live; fortunately this crime isn't one of them.

I know things definetly get lost in translation on the net, and as I was typing Anyone who has the.....etc, I knew that I shouldn't have stopped there. Of course, I have a child, if I HAD to kill, I would. This is obviously a different situation.

Back to Mrs. Cockayne, a Thank You! would be wonderful, but I still believe that an apology isn't necessary. Maybe now she can rest a bit knowing that with her determination helped in some way.

Anyway....I'm glad it's over.

As far as rkurpier's response is concerned, it seems there was an issue when someone from the Cockayne entourage exited the courtroom after the verdict was announced and vandalized one of the defense attorney's vehicle. He planned to press charges and of course why not? I doubt that will be a cause celebre.

Good night!

According to the St. John source the vehicle belonged to Alexander Cameron who was an alibi witness for the defense.

Richard N. Kurpiers

You're right, RNK. Thomas's attorney filed charges on behalf of his client's defense witness for alleged damage to his vehicle by a member of the Cockayne family. Cheers!

I have been critical of the VIPD in the past. And I strongly feel that you should NOT to put yourself into a situation that can cause crimes like this. But in this case I feel that the VIPD DID DO A GOOD JOB. It took longer than it should have and I am sure there are reasons for this. But in the end I think that justice was served.

The actions of the young man were not responsible for the crime. Nor were the actions what I would have considered prudent. But his actions should never have caused this crime to happen.

The advice that I have for future visitors, as well as locals, is to learn from this unfortunate crime. Don't be in places you should not be. If it feels wrong don't do it.

Perhaps you need to have grown up in NY to understand this.

My thoughts go with all of the families.

Billd

Mrs. Cockayne was harassing Alexander Cameron at the courthouse. She walked out called him a liar and then again inside the courtroom called him an asshole. Because she kept harassing the witness, he reported it to the Marshall. The Marshall had her removed from the court premises. IMMEDIATELY,she then walked back by him called him an ass....again and then used an expletive when he was out in the parking lot.. f.......u. The following day she wasn't allowed in court but was on St. John ,where she and another member of the family went to find the bartender from the Front Yard to harass him . Instead she ran into Alexander Cameron who was in the resturant unwinding after a hard day of work. No words were exchanged. Alexander did not communicate with them at all. They left the resturant and with beer bottles smashed his windshield, jumped into their car and fled the scene of the crime. They did not believe there were any witnesses but they were wrong. This is a federal crime of witness harassment. Alexander called the court immediately and Attorney Joseph informed him that the jury was still in deliberation. It was 4:30 pm-the verdict did not come in until 6:30 PM. This is not Mrs. Cockaynes first incident of witness intimidation and harassment. Moments after the incident, while Mr. Cameron was in the police station, Iris Kern (victim advocate for the governor) called the station and informed them all the Cockaynes were at the Greenhouse. I was personally standing their and saw her on the phone proclaiming her lie. There is no way Iris Kern could have known about this incident this quickly unless the perpetrator's of the crime had called her or the rest of the family. This is a cowardly action and if they are concerned with justice they will turn themselves in. The Marshals, police and Judge Hollar have been informed! Charges have been filed. Evidence has been obtained. The Cockaynes must think they are above the law for they have not bothered to contact Mr. Cameron and make retribution. Mr Cameron did not lie in court. His truths contradicted their fantasy case they made up from Day 1 which they didn't want to hear. Will Justice be served ?

Didn't damaging a vehicle start this whole tragedy in the beginning?

This looks like it will be continuing on and on. Funny how islandflygirl has not weighed back in on the thread.

Bill,

"...It took longer than it should have..."

Sixteen months from crime to murder one conviction seems rather speedy to me, far speedier than many stateside jurisdictions.

Baysider,

It is indeed beginning to appear that the decedent learned the behaviors that cost him his life (inability to control oneself manifested in verbal slurs, destruction of property and disobeying the law) from his family.

And before someone misinterprets my remark, I do not think it is right that his behaviors cost him his life; I think the perpetrator of the crime earned his murder one conviction. I am simply pointing out that most people do not behave this way, so they don't have to fear for their safety here in this regard.

16 months for a murder case to be adjudicated? Sounds like the norm or better. Trial alone usually takes a month or more and at least a year to get to the court room before that. Far as I'm concerned "ain't so bad".