Hey Philly Future! How goes it? We have been busy over at our site, and working in the community. Today we come to you to raise awareness over an unsolved murder involving a young guy from Bucks County named Jamie Cockayne.
Jamie was 21 years old and murdered on his way to work in the Virgin Islands. Some SAC members know some of his family members, so we have been keeping an eye out. The murder occured in June, and we have been told that the island government is not talking much to the media - guess they don't want another Natalee Holloway case on their hands, eh? This is bad for tourism, we can assume?
Anyway, the murder goes unsolved, and Jamie shouldn't be forgotten. He was a young kid with his whole life ahead of him. We hear politicians are getting involved, so maybe they will have enough heft to get Justice for Jamie...
Bucks Co. Native Murdered In The Virgin Islands
CBS 3) NEW HOPE, Pa. A Bucks County man who moved to the Virgin Islands to work as a boat captain and live a peaceful life instead had his life cut short by a senseless murder.
The tragic loss has his family and friends searching for answers.
The murder of 21-year-old James (Jamie) Cockayne mystifies authorities in the U.S. Virgin Islands and his community back home in New Hope, Pa.
"It's very scary, it's very creepy," the victim's friend Dann Dechellis Sam Strzelec said.
Cockayne, a 2005 graduate of New Hope Solebury High School, was stabbed to death outside a bar in the Virgin Islands last week.
"His death just really affects so many people in this town because he connected with so many people on such a personal level," friend Sam Strzelec said.
Jamie recently moved to St. John preparing to work at a Virgin Island yacht club.
Only hours before his death, an eyewitness reportedly saw Jamie arguing in a bar with another man.
"No one really knows what happened, how it went down or anything but I just hope they find whoever is responsible," Strzelec said.
With Jamie's killer still on the loose, the victim's parents are pleading for help.
In a letter printed in the St. John's newspaper, they wrote: "Our son did not deserve to die such a horrible, violent death, and we implore you to help us in identifying his killer and bringing him to justice."
SAC NOTE: All excerpts and links to St John Tradewinds newspaper articles have been reomved at the request of Sloane Henningsen at St. John Tradewinds, so unfortunately, you will have to Google their articles on your own from now on.
JusticeForJamie
U.S.
Joined: Jul 2007
Forum posts: 4
(7853190)
More about JusticeForJamie...
Posted on: 5:07 pm, July 03, 2007 SaveThis person was my cousin Jamie Cockayne who was slain so horribly in St John. One of you posted that he was a local boy, but he wasn't. He was from Pennsylvania, as is most of our family. He and his mother had just returned to St John from a family wedding that we attended 3 days prior to his murder. They were in search of a vacation home and had rented a house to stay in for the summer. Jamie was about to start a job with the Bitter End Yacht Club and was so extremely proud of himself.
Jamie was the sweetest 21 year old you would have ever met and he didn't deserve to die. He should be remembered as the outgoing adventurous kid he was, and not how he died. I will never forget is infectious smile!
If anyone knows anything, please contact the authorities. My family has no ill feelings towards St John and the people of the USVI, but we want to bring him justice. If you saw anything or remember anything that may be of assistance to getting these terrible killers off the streets, PLEASE help us. We just buried Jamie on Saturday, but we will NOT rest until his killers are found!
JusticeForJamie
U.S.
Joined: Jul 2007
Forum posts: 4
(8052744)
More about JusticeForJamie...
Posted on: 3:02 pm, July 18, 2007 SaveWe too heard that there had been an arrest, but it wasn't from the FBI or local police. It turned out that it was merely a rumor. My aunt and uncle are still down there hoping that the case will come together soon. They are making progress but unfortunately there have not been any arrests.
Both sides of the story
The story I hear and have no reason to not believe is that he was a hyperactive child from the outside who was not aware of how to handle himself on the island. He wanted to be everyone's best friend and got involved with a bad crowd and should have known better. He also couldn't have been on his way to work since all of the stories I've heard place the murder at 10:30 pm. Let's note cannonize people before we know everything.
JUSTIOCE FOR JAMIE
There needs to be Justice for Jamie. Do not believe what you see posted above.
Believe, instead, his family.
Write these people today:
Jamie Cockayne murdered in paradise - no one is doing anything
Boycott St. John's Virgin Islands...
if you get "murdered" in
if you get "murdered" in paradise...then it ain't paradise!
it ain't paradise...you are correct
family was on NBC10 and KYW3 today alone...our members who know extended family members want folks to ramp it up. Write a letter to a politician, to a newspaper to the Virgin Islands...no one in the VI is doing a damn thing. That in itself is criminal
To USVI Realist: The news
To USVI Realist:
The news stories do not indicate that Jamie was on his way to work on the night he was killed. Rather, that he was awaiting the necessary paperwork so that he might begin work on a nearby island. Why are you intent on calling the reporting of the story and, more importantly, Jamie's character into question? He was a young man who was butchered on the streets of St. John...a fate he did not deserve whether he was a saint, or, in your words, "a hyperactive child...who wanted to be everyone's best friend."
If you are, as you claim, a "realist," then here is some reality for you. A young man was butchered in the streets of St. John. He leaves behind a family that is devastated by their loss...their grief compounded by a plodding and unsuccessful police investigation into the murder. As a realist, you should be concerned not with Jamie's character, but with the knowledge that a violent psychopath is walking the streets...perhaps the very streets that you walk each day. Rather than spending your time adding to the immense grief already being felt by the family and friends of Jamie Cockayne, why not write to any of the public officials listed in the post that appears on this page to urge them to deal with the "reality" of this situation?
You need not concern yourself with how Jamie Cockayne is being remembered. His family and friends are taking care of that. As a person who apparently has a vested interest in the fortunes of the USVI, you should concern yourself with issues like public safety and the quality of police investigative work on the islands. Tourism is the lifeblood of the region. You should remember that as you seek to cover up the blood on the streets of St. John.
why would anyone want to
why would anyone want to condone the behavior of a murderer..why would anyone want to murder a kid who wanted to befriend people on the island he was moving to to maike his home..as for on his way to work ..he was on his way to a career as a sailor.....his career was just beginning.... until a cowardly murderer took his life...lets not be so small minded....we will remember Jamie as a good person who only wanted to happy and share his happiness with others
Get the Word Out
Trip Advisor has repeatedly deleted the family's posts, for fear of upsetting tourism in the VI. But that's not fixing the problem.
This is becoming a hot topic on these (honest) USVI message boards.
Hopefully it will help light a fire under the inept VIPD.
http://www.vinow.com/wwwtalk/read.php?4,78710
http://virgin-islands-on-line.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3608
Leave your own comments there, as well!
Some things never change!
I lived on St. John for a little over a year after graduation from college in 1994 and spent every winter there for the next 10 years. Some things never change...(the incompetence and corruption of the USVI police) It was always a joke to watch the young west indians stand there every night and peddle their drugs within 100 feet of the police station in Cruz Bay while Nothing was ever done!!
One winter when I was down there (I think '95 or '96) and the USVI newspaper was doing a running story of all the rapes...robberies...violent crimes & murders being committed by the high school kids on St. Thomas. They had tracked each of these categories and it was staggering! The ridiculous thing was that there was some law in effect that stated if you were under 18 you could not be tried and therefore the school administration could not be notified. Kids were robbing and raping over the weekend and on Monday the principal and teachers were probably the only ones who did not know about it! I just remember thinking how incompetent the people running these islands were and how it was someday going to really effect their tourism. It needs to affect their tourism before change will ever happen.
The reason I bring this up is to highlight that the USVI police has been corrupt and incompetent for many, many years. If someone close to Jamie wanted to do a little digging to try and build a case against the incompetence of the USVI police and the need for change this running story would certainly help to build a case. How about hiring a proven police captain from the states to clean house and establish a real police department that is committed to protecting its citizens?
jamie cockayne and tripadvisor.com
by the way www.tripadvisor.com is removing ALL messages pertaining to this murder - this istheir excuse, please post on other VI sites so people know they can't be trusted to tell travellers the truth:
Dear TripAdvisor Member,
Our forums are intended as a place where members can share information
on a wide variety of travel subjects in a friendly and constructive environment.
We specifically ask that forums members stay on-topic and post respectfully when
writing messages to be published on the forums. We will remove messages that
contain descriptions of injuries or death by criminal act or accidents; these
messages are not considered family-friendly or travel-related.
Discussions about safety at a destination are considered travel-related, but we will
remove all messages that include racist or culturally-insensitive remarks, calls for
boycott of the destination, attempts to use our site to organize protests
against the local political system or social infra-structure, or calls for US or
any other nation's intervention into criminal investigations.
Sincerely,
Jane
TripAdvisor Support Team
Wow- It is so upsetting to
Wow- It is so upsetting to read that Jamie's death is trying to be justified and made light of because he wanted to be everyone's best friend' and 'didn't know how to handle himself on the island.' Should he had known better????? I love when the ignorant make comments about the supposed ignorant. A young man (kid!) died and we are all supposed to take comfort that it was OK because he didn't know how to handle himself in a brand new place?!? Being murdered doesn't offer the option of learning how to handle ones self in new surroundings. I am disgusted at what this world has come to and how hardened we are. My thoughts and prayers are with Jamie's family and I look forward to seeing justice being served.
he told me...
I just moved back from St. John.... i'd been there since the beginning of may.... i know something about this... but i don't know what to do.... here is my delima: i moved back up here because i got involved with what some would say "the bad crowd" ... well this person from whom i was doing business with was very obvious about his business... he would roll joints in full view of this local bar... one time while i was there... i was nervous about how open he was being about it...(myself, not wanting to get caught) said something to him about it... that it made me uncomfortable... what if the cops saw... and he said to me that the cops couldn't touch him... his family practically owned the island... they had most of the money and he could never get into trouble, because they know this.... i don't remember if he said he had been briefly arrested for this or not, but he DID say to me that he was 'involved' in 'that motherscunts death'....i dropped it from there because i was scared.... so... he was attracted to me, he'd asked me out many times and i agreed at the time, but when it came to it... i backed out... this happened twice and pissed him off badly ... then i called him at 3am once looking to do business... he didnt answer, but text me the next morning that i didn't get to call him on "my time" that i had to call on "his time"... so i text him back that i had never done business with a dealer that was so personally involved in business and hopefully one day he'd grow up and grow out of it... he became pissed at me and didn't want to do business.... he told me to scatter myself elsewhere and that i was a dumb girl for fucking with him... later to find out he also put a death threat on one of my best friends because of a money thing.... my mother came down to see me... figured out i was on drugs and made me come back to the states to get clean.... i finally opened up to her about all the things i was doing and how it was probably good that i left because i had pissed off the biggest drug dealer on the island... then told her the above story.... this was a while back.... so i came home today and she told me about this american that was killed in St. John... how it was on the news and the parents wanted answers about the murder.... i just sat there staring at her.... i said... "mom! thats the guy i was telling you about!!.... he was stabbed wasn't he?" she then replied that he had been... after being hit by a 2 by 4 (that i didn't know).... and that she remembered me saying that but hadn't put the two together.... so the delima is... i don't know how far his or his family's hands could reach... and i don't want to put me or my family in danger... but i know that if it was my baby that i would want this person to come out and say something.... i want to add that i don't know this for FACT... i wasn't there to see it... this is what he TOLD me.... and he told one of my other friends on a separate occasion the same thing.... i don't know why someone would claim it... but i also wouldn't put it past him.... i'm not sure where this puts me... or what to do.....
i was told...
I just moved back from St. John.... i'd been there since the beginning of may.... i know something about this... but i don't know what to do.... here is my delima: i moved back up here because i got involved with what some would say "the bad crowd" ... well this person from whom i was doing business with was very obvious about his business... he would roll joints in full view of this local bar... one time while i was there... i was nervous about how open he was being about it...(myself, not wanting to get caught) said something to him about it... that it made me uncomfortable... what if the cops saw... and he said to me that the cops couldn't touch him... his family practically owned the island... they had most of the money and he could never get into trouble, because they know this.... i don't remember if he said he had been briefly arrested for this or not, but he DID say to me that he was 'involved' in 'that motherscunts death'....i dropped it from there because i was scared.... so... he was attracted to me, he'd asked me out many times and i agreed at the time, but when it came to it... i backed out... this happened twice and pissed him off badly ... then i called him at 3am once looking to do business... he didnt answer, but text me the next morning that i didn't get to call him on "my time" that i had to call on "his time"... so i text him back that i had never done business with a dealer that was so personally involved in business and hopefully one day he'd grow up and grow out of it... he became pissed at me and didn't want to do business.... he told me to scatter myself elsewhere and that i was a dumb girl for fucking with him... later to find out he also put a death threat on one of my best friends because of a money thing.... my mother came down to see me... figured out i was on drugs and made me come back to the states to get clean.... i finally opened up to her about all the things i was doing and how it was probably good that i left because i had pissed off the biggest drug dealer on the island... then told her the above story.... this was a while back.... so i came home today and she told me about this american that was killed in St. John... how it was on the news and the parents wanted answers about the murder.... i just sat there staring at her.... i said... "mom! thats the guy i was telling you about!!.... he was stabbed wasn't he?" she then replied that he had been... after being hit by a 2 by 4 (that i didn't know).... and that she remembered me saying that but hadn't put the two together.... so the delima is... i don't know how far his or his family's hands could reach... and i don't want to put me or my family in danger... but i know that if it was my baby that i would want this person to come out and say something.... i want to add that i don't know this for FACT... i wasn't there to see it... this is what he TOLD me.... and he told one of my other friends on a separate occasion the same thing.... i don't know why someone would claim it... but i also wouldn't put it past him.... i'm not sure where this puts me... or what to do.....
There is plenty you can do.
There is plenty you can do. Virtually all municipal police forces have an "anonymous tip line" that allows people to provide information about criminal activity. You should find the anonymous tip line in your area (or outside your area...it doesn't matter) and provide any information you might have (this individual's name, his cell phone number, what involvement he claimed in Jamie Cockayne's death, etc.) You can do this without putting yourself at risk, and, if this person is involved in the murder, you will be helping to get a dangerous person off the streets before he can harm someone else.
You seem to be a nice person...someone with a conscience. I appeal to you to provide the authorities with any information you might have to help solve this crime and to bring some closure to Jamie's family.
You can submit anonymous
You can submit anonymous tips directly via the VIPD website:
http://www.vipd.gov.vi/crime/unsolved-crimes.aspx
You can call Senator
You can call Senator Spector's office and leave the information with them. Sen Spector and his staff are aware of this issue and are helping the family to solve this crime. I called yesterday and they were very kind and encouraging. Phone for Sen Spector is 215.597.7200.
If you leave the information on the USVI POLICE anonymous board it will probably be ignored, especially if this person is "one of their own". The name will at least surface outside the USVI and perhaps even make it to the FBI. That will make it harder for the USVI to cover tracks of a potential perp because of "connections"
Please do the right thing and help the Cockayne family. It is outrageous that this dude feels he is so much above the law that he could potentially kill with impunity.
Regardless of whether this person is the perp or not, you will be doing everyone a service. The dealer should be put out of business, if for no other reason, than he is a dealer.
Good luck. I'm sure you'll do the right thing
I agree with the above
I agree with the above poster. Perhaps the person who boasted of his involvement in the murder of Jamie Cockayne was just talking big to impress and scare you. But then again, he might have been involved or he might have information that will lead to an arrest.
Unless we make a stand against criminals, we will continue to lose ground to them. Saint John is a beautiful place that is slowly giving way to crime and drugs. Our meek acceptance of this decay encourages the bad guys and increases the odds of more people suffering Jamie's fate.
Please tell the authorities what you know. Calling Senator Spector's office is a great idea.
Cockayne issue
The US Virgin Islands are part of the 3rd Circuit in US Federal courts. Senator Specter can help the family (my understandin is that there has been no action there), but if you know a US Attorney or a member of the local FBI, they may step in when a crime isn't being addressed by the local authorities -- especially for a US Citizen. . St. John is a US Territory. Contact the US Attorney in Philadelphia and tell them all you know. Or call the FBI. The long arm wont' reach you here -- and if places like trip advisor want to avoid "warning" people about unsafe conditions, then we need to publicize it. If you are a good kid, and you were down there doing lots of drugs, you owe it to other kids and their families to shine a light on that issue. Good luck.
go to federal authorities
look, if you are in the US you need to go to federal authorities - go to FBI and DEA - ask for protection- or you need to contact a reporter you can trust to protect you who might have contacts to get you some help.
Jamie didn't have to die...and from what you have said you were exposed to - you could have been killed to.
Stay off drugs - get and stay clean.
thanks for having the courage to write. We don't know who you are and don't need to - you have to take the next step
he told me...
i called one of my friends down there yesterday and she told me that she had run into this guy about a week ago... and he told her that they had him in custody questioning him all day... but released him because they couldn't get anything out of him....
trust me, this guy is heartless... and he wont get convicted... his family OWNS the police... which is why they have "lost" evidence... or it was washed away... because if anyone even tries to convict him... they will probably 'disappear' too... the two witnesses have left the island... one guy actually went to his work, broke in the safe, took the money and left the island... and he was a local and knew that he wouldn't live if he talked... it is very corrupt down there... a beautiful island... great for vacations... but when you live down there... you get to see the ugly part.... i have the name this guy goes by, and his phone number.... but i want to give all this info anonymously...
just knowing this information has got me very stressed out... and hurt... and i don't want to be quiet about what i know... even if it wont convict the guy.... at least the family will know that i gave all i had knowledge of and tried to help... will be such a relief of my conscience...
Both Sides?
In response to USVI Realist's posting, "Let's Hear Both Sides," this was such an odd and frankly idiotic posting. Let's break this down. You say that you have heard that Jamie was a "hyperactive child from the outside who didn't know how to handle himself on the island." Huh? Does that mean he deserved to be murdered? Is that what you mean by "the other side of the story"? He was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and so he deserved to be murdered? No one said "he was on his way to work"; he was waiting for his work papers from the BVI to be processed before he could start his new job at Bitter End Yacht Club. He was not working on St. John. And I haven't seen anyone "canonizing" Jamie, either. His parents have freely reported to all members of the media that they knew Jamie was intoxicated that evening, he had been in some trouble in the past (drinking related; typical teenage stuff), etc. So what does the "canonizing" statement mean? People who are less than saints deserve to be slaughtered on the island of St. John? There is no "other side of the story." A promising young life was taken away from those he loved by a deranged butcher. He didn't deserve it; no one would deserve it. Get your facts straight next time, Mr. Realist, and accept the fact that when you are talking about a brutal murder of an innocent young man (attacked from behind by two men and stabbed seven times!!!!!), there is no "other side of the story."
I agree. I have recently
I agree. I have recently returned from St John and was surprised to see the loitering and drug dealng going on right near the plice station. After the third "offer" of drugs we decided to "get out of town". Another question is, where are the police at night? We were there for 2 weeks and never saw one after the ferry stopped (we only ever saw them at the ferry dock). All their vehicles are parked at the police staion! I would think only 5 weeks after a murder we would see a bigger "presence".
JAMIE'S MURDER
CALL THE FBI....NOW!!!!
JAMIE'S MURDER
CALL THE FBI....NOW!!!
update?
we heard the Keystone Cops may have made one arrest from the family? anyone else hear that?
Yes...an arrest was made. An
Yes...an arrest was made. An 18 year old local has been arrested and charged with first degree murder and a number of related offenses. There is also some rumor that two other people have also been detained. You can read the story in the USVI Daily News (online).
Now we have to see whether or not the USVI authorities can make the charge stick. As has been reported, the evidence was severely compromised by sloppy policework (either intentional or unintentional.
I, being raised in the
I, being raised in the Virgin Islands (on St. Croix) would like to say something on behalf of the islands; we are very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of jamie. I think it is a horrible and unfortunate situation and i pray that the murderers are caught and processed to the full extent of the law. I also applaud the girl who knew something and wanted to give the information forward. With all of this said, I do also want to state that this is in no reflection of the VI Government alone. Situations like this happen all over the United States as a whole. I have lived in Georgia, Maryland and Virginia and have visited every state along the East coast. Unfortunate situations like this happen everywhere and these places are not deemed unsafe or the tourism industry of these places are not attacked like we have been attacked. It is unfair. What this murderer did to Jaime was unfair and reckless and he shall be punnished, but do not try and punnish the tourism and people of our islands for his mistake. There are plenty of unsolved murders in Pennsylvania, but we do not suggest that we will boycott your state, and please do not do the same to us. That is all I ask. We are a Territory of the United States with some very beautiful people and some gorgeous sights. Every place has its flaws and its people that it can do without. Once again I am sympathize with your loss and pray for arrests and justice for Jaime
Arrest
Here's a link regarding the recent arrest
http://www.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/?v=d&i=&s=News:Local&p=1176614017
To I Love the VI, You make a
To I Love the VI,
You make a number of good points in your post. Murder and violence are certainly not unique to the VI and, in fact, these crimes are much more common in most of America's big cities. The posts you read here are not simply reactions to the murder of Jamie Cockayne. They are reactions to the way the VI police have (mis)handled the investigation of the crime and their treatment of the Cockayne family in their efforts to stay informed. The general (and growing) perception is that the police simply wanted this whole mess to go away...just as they ordered the crime scene hosed down before investigators arrived. So while you said that this matter is not a reflection of the VI government, I respectfully disagree. Jamie was killed by a local hoodlum who, hopefully, will spend the rest of his life in prison. That could have happened in any city in the world. But the failure of police to respond promptly when informed that Jamie was being attacked...and the bungled and plodding investigation that followed...are purely on the backs of the VI government.
Tourists don't need assurance that there is no crime in the islands. They need assurance that their lives - and not just their dollars - are highly valued by local authorities.
I do agree with you also,
I do agree with you also, but in many cities when the police are called upon to respond to situations. They do not jump and come running. Maybe in upscale parts of Pennsylvania they do, but in most places where as you put it "hoodlums" are, they do not respond quickly for whatever reasons that may be. And in response to the police keeping the family informed, that happens everywhere. Look at the recent Bridge collapse in Minnesota. The police kept things quiet. The little kids couldnt get in touch with their families for hours. I remember seeing on tv that one grandma knew nothing of her niece's fate or anything until late that night, almost the next morning. In any police investigation, if no one comes forward, then you have nothing. Just as the person said...the witnesses left. She herself was scared. There is nothing the police can do until they have something concrete. You cant expect them to turn water into wine...they are not god. Our police do have short comings, but so do most around the United States. I am always hearing of police brutality and corruption in various states. If an African American person from the islands had got murdered up there in that community and it was the sons and daughters of connected people, you would have the same problem. In both cases, you have to have witnesses who have balls and are not afraid to come forward. Right is right and wrong is wrong. Living in fear just lets those who do crime have power. In either case, i dont want our government and police put on blast. Pointing fingers does not change what has happened nor does it help find a solution. It causes tension and more problems. I personally plead for all who know of what happened to poor jaime to come forward so that proper action can be taken. Anything that can lead to information in this situation that will help the police solve and close the case is what we need, not prosecuting the police and government.
Virgin Islands Corrupt
Dear VI poster-
Your island suffers from corruption it appears - corrupt government and people here say corrupt police.
With such rampant corruption in a place that is a US territory there is no point adding our hard earned tourist money, which means the Federal Government needs to flex some muscle (if THAT is possible) and clean house. New governor, new police chief, the works.
otherwise, we all should boycott the virgin islands. I know I won't ever use www.tripadvisor.com because of their not allowing honest opinions of what is dangerous and where.
The virgin islands is a hotbed of racial divide and racially motivated crime. To those of us not raised to see a color and race divide that is a situation no one wants to be in.
And if criminals are alleged to be connected to ranking government officials, well then, we'll go someplace else - there are a lot of islands to choose from after all.
This has been a tragic loss
This has been a tragic loss for both the family and the virgin islands community. At this time no one needs to be pointing fingers and making false accusations. The VIPD has very good officers, who have been trained at Quantico. A proper investigation takes time so that mistakes are not made. It may seem that they are dragging their feet, but i assure you that they will solve this case. Everyone needs to be patient and let the authorities do their job. How many times have we seen police departments rush to solve a crime only to be embarrassed? Everyone needs to take a breath and step back, stop trying to do jobs they're not qualified for. Once again this is a senseless tragedy.
VI police
oh yeah VI police are so erstwhile and responsible. read this thread of comments:
http://www.topix.net/forum/world/virgin-islands/T2DE62NN66OSBVOB6
The cops were sure in a
The cops were sure in a hurry to wash down the street where Jamie Cockayne was killed (they did so before the crime scene investigators had shown up!). They were also in a rush to toss evidence because they ran out of evidence bags. It's hard to believe the delay in the arrest was the result of careful, methodical police work.
Once again ignorance rears
Once again ignorance rears its ugly head. You know nothing of what you speak. You are just another who does not want to know the truth, but wants to be heard. There is corruption everywhere,just look at all the city governments in the continental US, but nobody says "BOYCOTT THEM" as far as going on vacation there. For years the residents of the continental US have refused to learn about their fellow americans, yes i said it "AMERICANS",everyone born in the U.S VIRGIN ISLANDS are american and we respect our fellow countrymen. I have seen tourists here on vacation refuse medical treatment under the guise that the doctors and nurses of the virgin islands are not properly trained,only to get more sick before allowing themselves to be treated. Everyone shouts corruption when the proper authorities don't jump when they say jump.
OK...so it makes you mad
OK...so it makes you mad when a guy from New York doesn't want a Caribbean doctor to treat his sun poison. Now as to "ignorance rearing its ugly head"...exactly what part of the preceding post was incorrect?
USVI Realist does not share my reality
No one is attempting to Canonize Jamie, we'll leave that up to the folks in Vatican City. Your insinuation that Jamie is EVEN SLIGHTLY responsible for two native ST Johns thugs following him out of a Bar with weapons and the intention to do use them is absolutely RIDICULOUS! Six Pack and his buddy CHOSE to be murderers. They, and they alone are responsible for Jamies' death. These two losers represent the youth of St Johns. This is not the first incident of this sort to occr on the island, and it won't be the last. If you want to risk your life down there please be my guest.
Many of you on this post are
Many of you on this post are so ignorant, yes a life was loss but dont blame the whole Virgin Islands for that. Many of you live in this dream world that if a place is paradise and tourism driven that there shouldnt be no crime or problems facing that particular island. That alone makes me laugh, there are problems everywhere. The United States is more full of corruption than the US Virgin Islands, let me explain better. In the United States the police will quickly respond to a white community but make a slower respond to the black community. That alone is corruption. The islands is made up of mostly blacks and when whites come down there and see that they are the miniority they get a little scared and they do try to act out. Once agian something happens to a white tourist and the white people of america makes assumptions on what happen. The moral of the islands is, if you get along with us we will get along with you. Many of you posting on here hasnt seem like you even been to the USVI. St.John actually has a low crime rate, there are rarely any manslaughter crime committed. And if there is, its roughly about 1-3 crime committed against mankind almost every three years at least. Petty crimes mostly exist on St. John. Sorry for the lost of the young tourist, but dont judge the youths of St.John just because one of them wasnt raised right. People of the islands are brought up with many repectful manners and morals.
Your comment dosent make
Your comment dosent make sense, living in the Caribbean am sure the doctor will know a lot about sun poison so why would the New Yorker be skeptical of him treating him.
Many of you on this post are
Many of you on this post are so ignorant, yes a life was loss but dont blame the whole Virgin Islands for that. Many of you live in this dream world that if a place is paradise and tourism driven that there shouldnt be no crime or problems facing that particular island. That alone makes me laugh, there are problems everywhere. The United States is more full of corruption than the US Virgin Islands, let me explain better. In the United States the police will quickly respond to a white community but make a slower respond to the black community. That alone is corruption. The islands is made up of mostly blacks and when whites come down there and see that they are the miniority they get a little scared and they do try to act out. Once agian something happens to a white tourist and the white people of america makes assumptions on what happen. The moral of the islands is, if you get along with us we will get along with you. Many of you posting on here hasnt seem like you even been to the USVI. St.John actually has a low crime rate, there are rarely any manslaughter crime committed. And if there is, its roughly about 1-3 crime committed against mankind almost every three years at least. Petty crimes mostly exist on St. John. Sorry for the lost of the young tourist, but dont judge the youths of St.John just because one of them wasnt raised right. People of the islands are brought up with many repectful manners and morals.
Get along with us and we
Get along with us and we will get along with you? OK. But apparently if we get drunk in one of your bars and say something you don't like, you have the license to beat us with a 2X4 and stab us a half dozen times.
And what do you mean that whites find out they're in the minority and "get a little scared and act out?" What possible sense does that make? A white person finds themself in a bar filled with black people and they're going to act out? Island logic, I guess.
No one is judging the youth of St. John because one of them wasn't raised right. At least three people were involved in the murder of Jamie Cockayne. Many more witnessed it. The police blew the investigation. Threats were made against Jamie's family when they asked too many questions. The problem is bigger than one violent thug. And now the lid is off the can of worms.
First of all I would like to
First of all I would like to say Jamie was brutally murdered. The cowards that beat and stabbed him shouldn't have been allowed to walk the streets of St. John for 6 weeks after the murder while everyone knew they were the murderers and nothing was done. In letters my family has written to the Tradewinds that have been published they have said that they didn't want to hurt the island, or the people of St. John, and that there are many good people there. HOWEVER, they shouldn't have had to flee the island twice for fear of their lives. The police should NOT have washed away the crime scene. They should have arrested the murderers weeks ago. There IS major corruption. It is true there is corruption everywhere, but that doesn't make it right! And that doesn't mean that people should just turn their heads and look the other way. If this hadn't gotten to the media I don't think anyone would have been arrested.
And if you have information regarding this terrible crime you should absolutely come forward and help get justice for Jamie!!!!!!!!
My name is Sean Summers and
My name is Sean Summers and I am the family attorney. You can reach me at ssummers@barley.com or 717-846-8888. I will put you in touch with someone that you can speak with in confidence. I will not disclose your name or information unless you authorize me to do so. Please contact me immediately.
people are entitled to their opinions
Jamie wasn't just a tourist...he was starting a life and a JOB there. His family had ties to the island...not that THAT matters- what matters is that a young guy was brutally murdered and his grieving family has gotten basically nothing but crap from the government of an island that is a U.S. Territory!
That in itself is gauling - US taxpayer dollars fund subsidies to their territories, including this one.
Y'all are happy to take our tax and tourist dollars, yet you kick up a fuss because millions of us want answers as to why a young man was murdered within spitting distance of a friggin' police station? Give us a break. What if it was your kid or kin, how would you feel then?
The youths of St. John can stand up NOW and PROVE people wrong - if the youths of St. John are so stalwart, then they should be stepping up to talk about this murder, the crime that does exist, etc. It is all a question of choice. Talking about morals and doing the right thing is one thing, acting upon it entirely another.
Thanks for writing
?
"If an African American person from the islands had got murdered up there in that community and it was the sons and daughters of connected people, you would have the same problem. "
Oh ok, this makes it right? C'mon. Skin color isn't the issue as we have raised it, corruption is. Basic government corruption and inept behavior is!
Raising awareness over this situation will ultimately make federal government officials realize there are serious problems in this territory. If you don't air the dirty laundry, no one knows there are problems. That goes for wherever you live.
Thank you Sean
Hello Sean. Thanks for posting your e-mail addy. SAC has been passing along these comments to one of Jamie's cousins that a few of our members know, but hopefully if these folks who claim to have knowledge of his murder are for real, they will do the right thing and step forward at least to you.
God bless you and keep you safe, and please tell Jamie's parents we are all praying for them.
Jamie
ANY information involving a murder MUST be reported to the authorities! There are contact names, numbers, and emails listed above in pervious postings. Please, please let the federal authorities know of whatever information (no matter how trivial it may seem to you) know what you have heard, experienced or seen.
We miss Jamie very much and all of his friends and family here pray for justice in his sensless murder. Please assist in any way that you can!
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/vi
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2007/08/07/kaye.island.murder.mystery.cnn
monkeys on the loose in the
monkeys on the loose in the islands
Tell the police
No one owns the police here in the islands. Sounds like you met someone who likes to make others think he is bigger and tougher than he really is to impress others. I have a lot of family on this island and I also have family who are police officers that take their job very seriously. They would never do favors for anyone who is family. The community is too small for that kind of nonsense. Whatever that guy told you was a load of nonsense to scare you and stop you for coming forward with anything.
As for the guy that broke in the safe, well that's another crime too, report that too.
Do the right thing and let the police know what you know. Every little bit helps.