AfriKa CRY BLOOD

I’Akobi Tacuma Maloney, 23, of Hutson’s Alley, Reed Street, St Michael, died on June 17, 2008, at Land Lock, St Lucy. The circumstances of his death were investigated by the Coroner’s Court and last Friday, Coroner Faith Marshall-Harris in her verdict said his death was due to misadventure. The following is Part 4 of an edited version of the verdict which began on Monday. It continues in tomorrow’s SUNDAY SUN.

MALONEY HAD certainly never mentioned any personal problems, any problems with work colleagues or with cement dust and sinusitis nor articulated any problems working at Arawak, apart from the temporary status.

Once again the resignation was a total surprise and he thought the response, “I am taking responsibility for my back”, sounded totally unlike Maloney.

It now appeared to Adesegha that when Maloney came to his lab that morning briefly and then left with his bag to see Collymore he had already made up his mind to resign.

Approximately 10:15 that morning, Maloney called his mother who was at her usual spot in Holetown under the trees close to the taxi stand. The conversation between them, as reported seems contradictory. She reported that he said “Mumz, Mumz, Mumz, I feel real good, I fire the work. I was here in Speightstown for a while just checking the scenes and it feels boring and monotonous. (more…)

I’AKOBI MALONEY “shafted” his job for health reasons, the former Barbados Exhibition winner’s mother told a Coroner’s Inquest yesterday.

And according to Marguerita Maloney, her son, though being ill two weeks before his death, was not depressed, and had even suggested he would start on a career in the “arts”, through rhythm poetry and chanting, after giving up his employment with the Awarak Cement Plant.

Maloney, who testified her son always had “sinus problems”, said he informed her he would resign before the job caused his death from constant inhalation of cement dust. (more…)

I’AKOBI MALONEY was yesterday described as a trusted worker who impressed his superiors, and had never shown signs of depression or discontent on the job.

He was even cool and calm as he gave up his career.

Maloney’s two immediate supervisors at the Arawak Cement Plant, and a workmate who may have been one of the last persons he spoke to before his death, all said the young man was “quiet and private” and acted quiet, calm, and cheerful on the day he resigned, and later died. (more…)

SEVEN WITNESSES took the stand when the Coroner’s Inquest into the death of I’Akobi Maloney started at the Coroner’s Court in Roebuck Street, St. Michael, yesterday.

Coroner Faith Marshall-Harris also revealed that part of the inquest would include a visit to the scene at Landlock, St Lucy, where Maloney died, and the testimony of a handwriting expert to determine the contents of a diary claimed to have been Maloney’s.

Maloney, 23, was found floating in the water at Landlock on June 17 a few hours after resigning from his job at the nearby Arawak Cement Plant.

Attorneys-at-law Andrew Pilgrim and David Comissiong are representing the Maloney family.

The inquest resumes on Monday.

by Tim Slinger & PCA (www.nationnews.com)

“THERE’S ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE to suggest any foul play in the death of I’Akobi Tacuma Maloney.”

That’s the word from police crime chief Assistant Commissioner of Police Seymour Cumberbatch, who also disclosed that investigations suggested that the 23-year-old man was going through a state of depression when he reportedly ran and jumped off a cliff at The Land Lock, Cove Bay, St Lucy, on June 17. (more…)