The late Estella Scott Roberts. 1975 - 2008. (Photo by Lennon Christian)
On Feburary 22, 2010 Larry Ricketts and Kirkland Henry were found guilty of slaying Estella Scott-Roberts, in a crime that sent shock waves throughout Cayman. Each defendant had been found in possession of a cell phone belonging to Mrs Scott-Roberts, and that forensic evidence also was recovered from Mr Henry and the deceased. She said detailed statements from both men included admissions of the crime to police during questioning.
Cayman Juice Comment: I hate unanswered questions. So was this a crime of opportunity? To get the victims cell phone and other possessions? Was she violated? None of these questions were answered, because apparently no one cared to ask about the reason for such a horrific crime from these men. Why go through the effort of burning someone's car after a crime unless it is personal? Which begs the question...were the convicted men "known to the police"? Had they been in jail for domestic violence, placed there by the actions of Mrs. Scott-Roberts, gotten released and took out heir vengeance on her. Guess we won't know without some digging.
“They have rightly been convicted on overwhelming evidence,” said Detective Chief Inspector Peter Kennett, of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS), the officer in charge of the investigation, “and will spend the rest of their days in prison.” Now that the trial is over, the board members of the Estella Scott-Roberts Foundation speak out, 16 months after the murder of Estella Scott-Roberts, for whom the foundation is named.
“The Foundation and its directors have refrained from public comment on the case until it was completed, as we firmly held to the principle of allowing the justice system to run its course in dealing with the persons accused, and now convicted, of this heinous crime,” said Vice-Chairperson Ms Melanie McLaughlin.
“While the verdict provided by the Hon Chief Justice Anthony Smellie in the murder trial can never give us back the vivacious social activist, wife, daughter and friend,” she said, “it does provide her with justice and sends a clear message that such evil acts will not go unpunished in our community.”
The Foundation, set up in October 2008 by Ms Scott-Roberts’ husband, Mr Rayle Roberts, to honor his wife’s memory, envisioned an organisation that would continue to address the social issues that Estella passionately supported. It is a licensed non-profit company in the Cayman Islands, and its board is comprised of Mr Roberts, chairperson; Ms McLaughlin, vice-chairperson; Novelette Ebanks, treasurer; Tammy Ebanks-Bishop, secretary; Andrea Bryan, MBE, JP, director; and Sara Collins, director.
One of the Foundation’s goals is to advocate for a life free of violence for all, a human right afforded every man, woman and child in Cayman society; however, this right is violated on a daily basis through instances of gender violence, particularly against women; gang violence, mainly against other males; and pervasive child abuse.
“The Foundation is concerned that systematic cultural violence will continue to tear at our social fabric,” said Ms McLaughlin, “resulting in future tragedies such as Estella’s untimely and brutal cold-blooded murder.”
She was murdered after leaving a West Bay restaurant, where she had celebrated her 34th birthday with friends on 10 October 2008. Her body was found the following day in a burned-out car. The two men charged in her murder were tried and convicted in February 2010.
Foundation Chairperson Mr Rayle Roberts said he was thankful to see the proceedings come to an end with the guilty verdicts of both perpetrators in the murder trial, and he acknowledged that these acts of violence were pointing to a larger problem within the community that needs to be addressed.
“We have two options as a society,” he said. “We have the choice to allow fear to paralyze us, giving criminals free rein while we stand as silent, fearful witnesses to our own demise, or we can choose to face that fear and be the change that we wish to see in our community.
“We can stand up and be counted as a voice for justice,” he said, “a voice strengthened by faith and heartened by the belief that the future of our country is at stake.”
The Estella Scott-Roberts Foundation aims to be an active change agent to engage men and women in addressing the issue of ending violence in the Cayman Islands. Persons who wish to volunteer with the Foundation are encouraged to submit an application form that can be downloaded from the website at www.esrfoundation.org.ky.
“The Foundation continues to seek financial support,” said Ms McLaughlin, ”to further Estella’s vision of gender equality and a life free of violence for all.”
For more information on the Estella Scott-Roberts Foundation, visit www.esrfoundation.org.ky or email esrfoundation@gmail.com
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