Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter
Overcome by their loss, the relatives of Romane Brissett look at a photo of him in happier times. From left: sister Shanika Stewart, mother Janet Maitland, brother Kino Stewart, sister Stacy-Ann and identical twin brother Jermain Brissett. - PHOTO BY CLAUDINE HOUSEN
WESTERN BUREAU:
THERE WAS an eerie silence when The Gleaner visited the home of Janet Maitland in Race Course, Westmoreland yesterday as the tragic loss of 17-year-old Romane Brissett still gripped his family, lulling them into a strange stillness. Ms. Maitland is still trying to come to grips with the loss of her son.
Reports are that about 3: 00 a.m. Sunday Romane, his twin brother Jermain and a 12-year-old boy were walking along the Patrick Drive main road in the area when Jermain grabbed a cap from the juvenile's head. It is said that an argument developed between Jermain and the juvenile during which the juvenile brandished a knife and confronted Jermain.
Romane reportedly intervened to make peace when the youth stabbed at Jermain, missed, and the knife caught Romane in his chest. He was rushed to the Savanna-la-Mar hospital where he was
pronounced dead.
NEVER KEPT BAD COMPANY
"Dem leave out at about 8: 30 say dem a go a dead yawd - mi never see Romane again. He was a good son. I never had any problem with him, because him never keep bad company, he did not trouble people or love to romp," Ms. Maitland cried. "Nobody in the community ever come to me and complain that he did anything ... I miss him bad bad."
His hair unkempt and still wearing some of Sunday's clothes, Romane's brother Jermain could barely find the words to describe his loss.
"I don't know what I am going to do without him. I can't eat, I can't sleep, I can't drink without him," he said.
"He was my strength and I loved him. I loved him so much I do not know what I am going to do. We grew up together. He was my one and only twin brother."
Romane is survived by five siblings: Jody -Ann, 21; Stacy -Ann, 18; Jermain, 17; Shanika, 14 and Kino 12. The juvenile has since been charged with murder.
