KEW, Hanover — Nordia Edwards is convinced someone must have heard her nine-year-old daughter Nikita Noel screaming as she was being murdered on Wednesday. Her only daughter was “very loud”, she said, so she is holding onto hope that someone heard or saw something that will lead to her killer being caught and convicted.The child’s vicious murder dominated national discussions for much of Thursday and has been roundly condemned by many including Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Education Minister Fayval Williams, House Speaker Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, and other members of the Parliament.“Nikita’s horrifying murder is a shock to our collective conscience and sense of community and can only be described as evil,” Prime Minister Holness said.“My heart goes out to Nikita’s family and loved ones and I am sure the entire Jamaica is praying for the family at this very sad time,” he said.“Our society must never become numb to the increasing barbarity of violent acts. The society must clearly define and defend the moral line by speaking out against and unequivocally condemning these violent acts and supporting measures that will bring the perpetrators to justice. For this reason, the Government is urgently amending the Offences Against the Person Act to provide stiffer penalties for those who terrorise and prey upon our people, particularly vulnerable and innocent children. Such barbaric criminals must be in no doubt that the country wants them separated from the society,” he said.
