And while Casildo’s killing has been written up as a justifiable use of deadly force, the family of Leslie Gentle Jr. says there was no justification for the attack on their loved one. It happened yesterday afternoon near the Pound Yard Bridge when the 26 year old labourer was stabbed to death. I found out more when I visited his family today.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Besides a spot of blood left along the sidewalk on Cemetery Road, you would not know that twenty six year old Leslie Gentle Jr. better known as “Footy” was viciously stabbed to death right here on Wednesday evening. The alleged murderer has been identified as twenty five year old Robert Taylor. Leslie Gentle Sr. says this morning he was on his way to the city’s morgue at the KHMH when he claims his son’s killer shouted at him.
Leslie Gentle Sr., Father of Murder Victim
“He shouted at us and said dah me kill Footy, they call my son Footy. He mentioned it at about three times, that dah he kill my son. He peeped through the window and said dah he kill the boy.”
Leslie Gentle Jr. had just arrived by bus at the Esso Gas Station on Cemetery Road when he saw Robert Taylor whom he had problems with and decided to confront him. The bus driver who did not wish to appear on camera told 7NEWS what happened.
Voice of Bus Driver,
“So he jumped out of the bus and told him that what he did to his
mom was wrong so he hit him.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Leslie hit Robert?
Voice of Bus Driver,
“Yeah he hit Robert and they continued discussing and then a little fight start and then Footy, we call him Footy, he eventually started to punch him up and after that the young man got off the bike, left Guinness, went back on the bike and he said he will come back and shot up Footy. So eventually we told Footy to watch out. Then when I came and I parked the bus up more from Port, I was a far away distance from Footy when I saw the young man was back on his bike but it was too late. When I saw him he was already getting off the bike with his knife when I hollered after Footy because the young man struck him right on the side.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
So there was nothing Leslie could have done?
Voice of Bus Driver,
“No it was from behind.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
How many times was he stabbed?
Leslie Gentle Sr.,
“Ten and he had a big cut across here and his guts was coming up.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
The police managed to catch the guy?
Voice of Bus Driver,
“Yes they managed to catch the guy eventually and I hope he spends a lot of time in jail. He deserves it because that is nonsense. He didn’t have to go through that. He already knew he did wrong, he deserved for Footy to beat him up like that. It happened very very fast.”
The family believes that their son was killed over an issue concerning cell phones.
Leslie Gentle Sr.,
“The guy stole cellulars from a lady he used to stay with and he blamed
it on my son. My son said no it is not me. So they had an argument and the guy went and started punching my son and my son beat him because my son is bigger than him and then he told my he will be back and my son didn’t think he would come back with a knife.”
The victim’s father does not believe his son is responsible for his own murder.
Leslie Gentle Sr.,
“I want to take revenge. They don’t want to hang so we have to revenge of these people killing other people. That is all about it.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
You believe in corporal punishment?
Leslie Gentle Sr.,
“Definitely because if they don’t start corporal punishment we will have to do it because it is nice when you kill somebody’s people. I am not feeling good about this so I want to talk to Mr. Barrow. If this guy goes to jail and comes out, I will kill him.”
Twenty five year old prime suspect Robert Taylor remains under police guard in the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. He is recovering from a single cut wound to his hand. When he is released from the hospital, he is expected to be charged with murder.
