Mark Beckford, Gleaner Writer

Earl Pratt dances with Sister Graselda Littlejohn during yesterday's service at the Fellowship Spiritual Apostolic Church in Big Lane, Central Villlage. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

THIRTY YEARS ago, Earl Pratt left behind a trail of blood and tears in Central Village. But he returned to the St. Catherine community in the mould of the prodigal son yesterday morning as Central Village welcomed back the man who had killed one of their own.

There was a buzz of expectation at the Fellowship Spiritual Apostolic Church even before Sunday service began as news spread throughout the inner-city community of his impending arrival.

"Me a did eight (I was eight) when him go a prison. Me well waan see him," remarked a woman who sat at the entrance of the lane to the church.

Another remarked, "Me know him from him a likkle boy a Trench Town, and when him move come ya. God muss have Him hand on him life. Him face the gallows three time and no hang, Him have a purpose inna life."

A green Toyota Corolla with two speakers on top soon rolled past the lane announcing the arrival of Pratt.

"Earl Pratt is on his way to Central Village; come Mother Pearce church; dat deh man serve 30 years inna prison, him face three gallows and doan heng," blared the voice over the microphone.

When Pratt finally arrived with daughter and grandchildren in tow and was shuffled into church, crowds swelled as persons greeted him and tried to get a glimpse of the notorious ex-con.

Once inside, the attention around Pratt did not die down, as residents were seen outside the windows of the church gesticulating and pointing at him.

But despite the Hollywood-like fanfare, Pratt preferred penitence to popularity, as midway the service, he rose to give a 'testimony'. He described himself as once a 'window' member of the church and exhorted young people to steer clear of a life of crime, and to use his experience as an example.

"I just want to say to these young people that prison is not a bed a rose ... Me lose 30 years, me no want unnu lose fi unnu 30 to."

Pratt even implored any gunmen within the reach of his voice to hand in their guns to the leadership of the church, but no one responded.

After the service, he was again mobbed by several residents who reacquainted themselves with him.

Ivan Morgan Jr. was present and described Pratt as a second father.

Pratt and Morgan Sr. were both convicted for the 1977 murder of Everton Junior Missick, but their death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment after the landmark 1994 ruling by the United Kingdom Privy Council, making it illegal to execute an individual who has been on death row for more than five years.

Ivan Morgan Sr. later died while doing time, but Pratt was released on parole on May 18 after 30 years in the slammer.

Pratt said yesterday he was elated to be back in his community, and said the church helped to ease any tension that might have been there.

"I feel better than how me feel before, because to how the system set, it set as if me couldn't did really enter me community because it was the place that the crime took place, but me a tell you the people really welcome me."