Almost exactly a year to the day Jamal Jeffrey Johnson was killed in a motorcycle accident in Deacons Farm, brakes were put on his family’s plans to build on his gravesite.
Superintendent of Cemeteries Ricky Cummins halted construction of a brick perimeter around the grave at Westbury Cemetery yesterday – a day before the May 8 anniversary of Johnson’s death – on the grounds that “the family had no legal authority to put the body there in the first place”.
He told the DAILY NATION the spot was not authorized for Johnson’s burial.
Cummins gave the halt order in the morning, as he was proceeding on holiday, after seeing workmen at the site.
Johnson, 21, was buried in close proximity to his friend Samuel Anderson Williams, who died in the same accident on Mother’s Day.
Cummins was on vacation leave at the time and Stephen Niles was acting in his place, giving him the authority for such burial placement.
However, when contacted yesterday, Niles said he had no knowledge of yesterday’s development.
Johnson and Williams, who lived opposite each other at Rosemont, Deacons, St Michael, died on the spot when the motorcycle they were riding slammed into a tree at Deacons Farm Road, St Michael. Johnson was the pillion rider. (DP)
