Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

LAST WEEK, on the 10th anniversary of the infamous gas riots in Jamaica, Prime Minister Bruce Golding braced himself for public outrage at another Government plan to increase fuel prices. For a family in Grants Pen, St Andrew, the event revived tragic memories.

On April 20, 1999, Brenda Duncan was controversially killed at the intersection of Grants Pen Drive and Lady Huggins Avenue. Police at the time said she was among a group of persons who attempted to loot a store at that location.

It has never been confirmed who fired the shot that killed Duncan, a 25-year-old mother of two children, who was three months pregnant.

On Sunday, her elder sister, Patricia Kelly, told The Gleaner that her family is considering reopening a case that has gone cold.

"Right now, we feel very bad because she leave her two kids an' dem shoulda get something from it (Duncan's death). Her life shouldn't jus' gone down the drain like dat," she said.

Witnesses didn't show

Kelly cannot recall details of the court case surrounding Duncan's death, but remembers attending one hearing.

Witnesses failed to show and she said her family could not afford to retain a lawyer to proceed.

The situation remains the same a decade later. "If we can get a lawyer, we'd pursue it but that take a lot o' money," she said.

Brenda Duncan was the sixth of seven children born in Morgan Lane, a small community in Grants Pen, which supports the People's National Party, the governing party 10 years ago.

Morgan Lane's political allegiance has resulted in years of deadly fighting with Grants Pen Avenue, which predominantly backs the Jamaica Labour Party.

The Grants Pen Drive/Lady Huggins Avenue intersection was a flashpoint during the gas demonstrations, which were sparked by Finance Minister Omar Davies' announcement of a six per cent increase in fuel prices.

According to Kelly, she and Duncan were there on the second day of the riots when shots rang out, resulting in chaos.

"I say, 'Brenda run' but when me look 'roun' me never see her. Mi never realise she get shot," Kelly recalled.

Duncan died instantly. Kelly denies that her sister was looting.

"That a lie," she said. "She like the excitement, but she easy fi shame. Is a girl with a lot o' pride."

Approximately one year later, there was more tragedy. Wayne Lewis, the father of Duncan's second child, was murdered in Kingston.

Her children, 13-year-old Romario and 11-year-old Christina, currently live with Romario's father.

Duncan's mother, who Kelly says is asthmatic, is a long-time resident of Curaçao. Kelly also spends a lot of her time on the Dutch territory but most of their family still live in Morgan Lane.

howard.campbell@gleanerjm.com