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Man killed alongside gang leader not a criminal, say residents
Monday, July 13, 2009
A group of Port Royal residents claimed Friday that Tafari 'Titto' Murphy, who along with feared gang leader, Joseph 'Joe Benbow' Barrett was fatally shot by police on Wednesday, was not a member of the Joe Benbow Gang.
The police reported that both men were shot and killed after a shootout along the Port Royal main road in East Kingston. Two 9mm pistols were allegedly recovered after the shooting.
But the Port Royal residents told the Observer Friday that Murphy was not a gunman.
Who then would have been firing the gun that police said belonged to Murphy?
The residents, who asked not to be identified, said they knew little about gang leader Barrett, adding that Murphy only met him after he moved to Port Royal to stay with relatives. But although saying they knew little of Barrett they do know he was not a saint.
"He (Murphy) just chose the wrong friend. We know Joe was not a saint but 'Titto' was not a criminal," one resident told the Observer.
The residents of the historic town said Barrett had relatives there and was well behaved in their community.
"We knew he was involved in a case with some guns but when he was here you wouldn't know he could mash ants. He hardly opened his mouth," one woman said.
The residents also refuted claims by the police that Murphy's brother was ordered killed by Barrett.
"All his brothers, except one who lives in Port Royal, are abroad. None of his brothers were killed in Jamaica. The police are lying," a resident said.
The residents claimed that <span style="font-weight: bold">Barrett had just reported to the Port Royal Police Station as a condition of his bail and was heading to court when the shooting occurred.
"Joe Benbow asked 'Titto' to follow him and that's how he got caught up. There were two unmarked police cars in Port Royal since Sunday and we believe they trailed the car and staged a shoot-out," another resident alleged.</span>
Police said a Toyota Hilux pickup was shot up during the exchange of gunfire but again the residents refuted the official police version of the shooting.
"They carried the pickup on the scene afterwards. No pickup was there when they killed them. The police who shot them were driving two unmarked cars," a resident said.
Joe Benbow, said the police, was one of the main players in several gang feuds in Jones Town, Torrington Park and Lower Ivy Road, which resulted in dozens of murders.
Monday, July 13, 2009
A group of Port Royal residents claimed Friday that Tafari 'Titto' Murphy, who along with feared gang leader, Joseph 'Joe Benbow' Barrett was fatally shot by police on Wednesday, was not a member of the Joe Benbow Gang.
The police reported that both men were shot and killed after a shootout along the Port Royal main road in East Kingston. Two 9mm pistols were allegedly recovered after the shooting.
But the Port Royal residents told the Observer Friday that Murphy was not a gunman.
Who then would have been firing the gun that police said belonged to Murphy?
The residents, who asked not to be identified, said they knew little about gang leader Barrett, adding that Murphy only met him after he moved to Port Royal to stay with relatives. But although saying they knew little of Barrett they do know he was not a saint.
"He (Murphy) just chose the wrong friend. We know Joe was not a saint but 'Titto' was not a criminal," one resident told the Observer.
The residents of the historic town said Barrett had relatives there and was well behaved in their community.
"We knew he was involved in a case with some guns but when he was here you wouldn't know he could mash ants. He hardly opened his mouth," one woman said.
The residents also refuted claims by the police that Murphy's brother was ordered killed by Barrett.
"All his brothers, except one who lives in Port Royal, are abroad. None of his brothers were killed in Jamaica. The police are lying," a resident said.
The residents claimed that <span style="font-weight: bold">Barrett had just reported to the Port Royal Police Station as a condition of his bail and was heading to court when the shooting occurred.
"Joe Benbow asked 'Titto' to follow him and that's how he got caught up. There were two unmarked police cars in Port Royal since Sunday and we believe they trailed the car and staged a shoot-out," another resident alleged.</span>
Police said a Toyota Hilux pickup was shot up during the exchange of gunfire but again the residents refuted the official police version of the shooting.
"They carried the pickup on the scene afterwards. No pickup was there when they killed them. The police who shot them were driving two unmarked cars," a resident said.
Joe Benbow, said the police, was one of the main players in several gang feuds in Jones Town, Torrington Park and Lower Ivy Road, which resulted in dozens of murders.
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