Shot Pt Fortin youth laid to rest

Urging the gathering to repeat after him, Bishop Ternel Nelson shouted: "We forgive him. We forgive him." His words were echoed by several mourners who came out to bid a final farewell to Caton at the South-West Regional Sports Complex at Egypt Village, Point Fortin.

Nelson, who flew in from Jamaica to officiate at Caton’s service, preached: "We are not here to judge the person who killed him. Whatever justice we get will not bring him back. Justice is not based on truth, but on fact. A guilty man can be proven innocent and an innocent man can be proven guilty. Let us not lose blood in this! Let us leave the law to do its job."

Caton’s mother, Patricia Woods, who was involved in a car accident which prevented her from visiting her son at the hospital, screamed and wailed when she saw Caton’s body lying in the casket. "This is not fair. I never got to say goodbye," she sobbed. Other mourners broke down in tears, each asking the same question: "Why him (Caton)?" Caton’s best friend, Akille Edger, collapsed in front of the casket and had to be lifted away.

Nelson, who calmed grieving relatives when he began to speak, prayed for policemen whom he said were confused over what had transpired. "(God) Visit TT and give spiritual awakening and not bloody revelation."

Delivering the eulogy, Caton’s uncle Wilbert said it was a coincidence that Caton, a pupil of the Siparia Senior Comprehensive School, was supposed to have written his first CXC examination yesterday, but is being buried instead.

He described Caton as a caring, jovial, loving young man who was a hero to his family. Caton’s teachers and schoolmates who sang gospel at yesterday’s service also described Caton as a fun-loving youth. Also attending the funeral service was Point Fortin MP Larry Achong, who said he was saddened by the unfortunate circumstances.

After the service, pallbearers carried the casket during a large funeral procession to the Point Fortin Cemetery, where Caton was laid to rest.