‘IT WASN’T ME’

By: rochelle.clayton@gleanerjm.com

Image caption: Jason Cummings, the People’s National Party candidate for the Rose Hall division in St James.

PNP candidate denies involvement in mentally ill man’s death after campaign car torched

The People’s National Party candidate for the Rose Hall division in St James, Jason Cummings, is denying any involvement in the murder of a 44-year-old mentally ill man, who allegedly torched the politician’s car on Thursday night.

In an interview with The Gleaner on Friday afternoon, Cummings distanced himself from any role in the Kenroy Doeman’s demise amid speculation of retaliation.

“We had nothing to do with any murder of anyone. The car was torched. I called the police and at that point of the shooting, I was at the police station giving a statement,” said Cummings. “I had nothing at all to do with it. I am a peaceful person. I don’t believe in violence against anyone. My car was burned, but I would not retaliate or do anything to take a life.”

Cummings’ silver 2012 Nissan AD Wagon was reportedly set ablaze by Doeman at approximately 7:15 p.m. on Thursday. The vehicle was parked in front of the councillor candidate’s residence and was a part of his election campaign machinery.

Cummings told The Gleaner that he was out campaigning in another section of the Rose Hall division when he received a call that Doeman, who is said to be mentally ill, was attempting to gain entrance to the vehicle by the front passenger door. The next call he received, Cumming said, was to inform him that the car was engulfed in flames.

NO PREVIOUS RUN-IN
The councillor candidate noted that while he knew Doeman from his community, they did not have a run-in before his car was torched. He further rubbished claims that his car was torched after a refusal to purchase cigarettes for Doeman.

“I didn’t see him at all last night. I was in Spot Valley when I got a call that he was going around the vehicle and I immediately called the police. When I heard that he lit the car, I called back the police and they called the fire department,” said Cummings.

“I just know him as a community person and I know that he was mentally ill. All of that cigarette argument is false news,” he stated.

The mentally ill man was fatally shot less than two hours later as he walked along a roadway in a section of the Lilliput community called Africa.

The St James police said that Doeman was attacked by unknown assailants travelling in a Nissan Skyline motorcar at approximately 9:05 p.m.

Instagram user Deandra Doeman, who said the victim was her father, said that it was unlike her father to set the car on fire, but admitted that he had mental issues.

“My father is mentally ill and everybody in the community knowssss that. Anybody who knows my father knows that he is a nice man and him nagh guh do something like that if he’s in his right mind,” she commented. “That car could easily buy back. Not even a shot inna him hand or foot? Unu affi take him life that we can’t get back[?]”

Asked by The Gleaner whether he believes that this incident will put a damper on his campaign, Cummings said no.

“The truth is that the people of Rose Hall division know me and they know that this is not something that I would do. They know me that well so they know that an act like this is beyond me,” Cummings said.

He, however, called on his supporters to keep the campaign clean and free from violence.

“I would like to appeal to anyone who supports me not to indulge in any act of violence,” said Cummings.

He expressed gratitude for the assistance of lawmen who responded to the scene on Thursday night, adding that he is saddened to learn of the man’s passing.

“The incidents are not connected to my knowledge. I don’t know if he had beef with someone and they saw the opportunity to do what they wanted to do. It had nothing at all to do with me,” said Cummings.

For his part, Assistant Commissioner of Police Clifford Chambers told reporters that investigations into the matter have not made a link between both incidents.

“Investigators have so far indicated that he was seen setting fire to the vehicle when the crowd came out. Hours after that, he was fatally shot, but they have not yet, at this stage, verified that the two incidents are linked,” said Chambers.

The senior cop further stated that there have been no reports of politically influenced crimes in the parish since the announcement of the February 26 local government elections.

“ ... I must commend the maturity of the persons from both political organisations in the mature way in which they are going about canvassing. We are seeing camaraderie between the political parties, which is good,” Chambers said.

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