14-y-o burnt to death in domestic dispute

CLARENDON:

Fourteen-year-old Leroy Hamilton of Central High School in May Pen, Clarendon, was burnt to death at his home in Stewarton Gully, Mocho, early yesterday morning.

Hamilton got caught in the crossfire between his mother and her 42-year-old boyfriend, Kayon Lawrence, aka Greg, who, in a rage, used a machete to chop her and then set the house ablaze.

The teenager's grandmother, who was also in the house, rushed outside after the place was set afire and was also chopped by Lawrence.

The attacker then fled the scene and his body was later found hanging from a rope at his house in the community.

Neighbours, who were alerted by the loud sirens of the fire truck coming to put out the blaze, expressed shock that Lawrence could have carried out such a heinous act.

"He sells at the Lennon High School gate and he is a pleasant person. From interactions with him, he never seemed the type to do something like that. We definitely did not see this one coming," a neighbour, who did not want to be named, told The Gleaner.

Reports from other neighbours are that the couple had their "little arguments" from time to time but nothing that would set off alarm bells.

A Gleaner source said that Lawrence's girlfriend had expressed the desire to leave him, a decision that might have triggered the violent response.

Councillor for the division Romaine Morris said it was a sad day for the community as once again, domestic violence had reared its ugly head.

"My heart goes out to the family, and I am using this tragic occasion to appeal to couples to find a better way of resolving your conflicts without it coming to this," he said.

The two women who were attacked in the incident have been admitted to the May Pen Hospital with severe burns and wounds.