Petrelis Files

Jamaican Police Arrest Suspect in
UK Gay Diplomat's Murder

Back in September, I helped bring attention to the murder of John Terry (above), the United Kingdom's honorary consul in Jamaica who was openly gay. In late December I wrote an update on the case, noting that no one had been charged in Terry's death. That has thankfully changed.

Today an article in the Jamaica Observer reports that the Jamaican police force has apprehended a suspect. I'll continue to monitor the Jamaican press, as this case moves into its next phase:

POLICE yesterday nabbed a suspect in the murder of British diplomat John Terry.

The suspect, a 23-year-old security guard, was picked up at his workplace in Montego Bay, St James, early yesterday morning. [...]

In a press release, Assistant Commissioner of Police Les Green said the arrest was the result of intensive work.

"Our detectives have worked long and exhaustive hours in putting together the evidence which led to the arrest today. We are extremely pleased with the progress we have made thus far but our work is not yet done. There are some matters still to investigate and other persons to interview, but we are well on our way," Green said.

Terry's nude body was found at his home in Mount Carey, St James, by his gardener in September last year.

He appeared to have been beaten with a blunt object and his body was wrapped in a sheet.

A post-mortem revealed that he was strangled to death. [...]

Gay rights advocates labelled the Terry murder a hate crime and called for Britain and the European Union to cut aid to Jamaica.