FAREWELL TO KENDOY–

Massive and Emotional Tribute

 by Mellica McPherson

 Crown Counsel Kendoy M. Penn, who was gunned down in front of his Old Plantation home on Sunday 18 September was laid to rest on Saturday 1 October. A large cross-section of the community, many members of Government and top officials  turned up to pay their last and emotional homage to the young and promising lawyer.

The thanksgiving service celebrating the life of Kendoy Penn was held at the Church of God of Holiness in East End; Pastor Ashford Frett officiated the service and the internment took place at the Greenland Cemetery.

A tribute was presented by Hon. Dr. Kedrick Pickering and the eulogy was delivered by Mr. Brodrick Penn; the prayer and benediction was delivered by Pastor Kenrick Buckle, and a prayer was also delivered by Pastor Calvin Mills.

At the funeral, Chief Minister, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith told the grieving assembly that “at this moment of mourning we have come together as a community and drawn strength from our shared love, and from our enduring faith in our merciful creator — God.”

The Chief Minister said that these past days have been a time of trial and sadness, “we have lost one of our dearest and most talented and most promising sons, we lost him senselessly and tragically,” Dr. Smith said.  The Chief Minister asked that everyone remember Kendoy’s remarkable gifts in the courtroom and his unique ability to speak with the confidence and authority of a man many years his senior.

Hon. Smith recalled Penn as being a man who was passionate and fiery advocate for his clients--- and was a true credit to the Territory’s judicial system. “We recall Kendoy’s years at the Land Registry, where he was an exemplary servant to the public. In a process that could so easily become cold and indifferent to the needs of average citizens, Kendoy brought compassion and deep humanity.”

The BVI Leader pointed out that Kendoy was very much a leader in the community, who served as an admirable role model for young people throughout the Territory.

Despite Kendoy’s hectic schedule as a Crown Counsel, he still found time for other activities like basketball and was an avid player and supporter of that game. Hon. Smith challenged the young men of the Territory to remember Penn and be filled not just with sadness, but with a sense of deep responsibility to live up to the example he set.

Dr. Smith explained that the enormous love and respect felt toward Penn was evident in the outpouring of emotion seen on the internet website that has been created in his honour [<http://kendoypenn.memory-of.com/About.aspx>]. He said that the love for Penn was evident in the hundreds of candles that were lit during the vigil, and in the unity of the purpose that everyone feels ---“recreating ourselves to creating a peaceful and safe BVI.”

In a tribute printed in the funeral program, His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Tom Macan described Penn as a young member of the Public Service at the start of what gave every indication of being a career of great promise.

"The word 'Passionate' has come up frequently: as a citizen of the Virgin Islands who was passionate about the Law and passionate about his desire to see justice done. If his rigorous approach to cross-examination, and his mastery of his brief struck terror into guilty defendants, that is as it should be."

RELENTLESS STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE

The members of the Nottingham Investment Club noted their deep sadness at the passing of their President. "We wish to express our sincere condolences to his family, co-workers and friends. We have lost a young vibrant BV Islander, who was a staunch leader and an integral part of the Public Service and Nottingham Investment Club.

“We will truly miss his soft meek and caring personality; and more so, his relentless struggle for justice and fairness for all. We observed  with awe his energetic devotion to form the Nottingham Investment Club and his passion for ensuring  that nothing was left to chance, including taking even the unforeseen  into consideration. Even then, a little over five years ago, he demonstrated a passion for the legal arena; he simply knew "how to talk and walk the walk."

Kendoy Penn is survived by his Mother, Aritha Maloney; Significant Other, Sanchia Thompson; brothers, Gregory Maloney, Claveleto Penn, Brodrick Penn, Dwayne Thomas; sisters, Ruth Penn, Letetia Penn Rodgers, Marriette Penn, Suzette Thomas, Jovet Maloney,   Raphelia Penn McKenzie, Orpha Penn, Sally Penn Sergeant, Glencia Penn Smith, Anita Penn Hill, Tanicia Penn, Marsha Penn, Tanisha Penn, Sherise Penn Esdaille, Kishma Penn, Natasha Penn, Nadia Penn; and many sisters-in-laws, brothers-in-laws, uncles, aunts, great aunts, great uncles, nieces, nephews, and special maternal guardians, not to mention his Godparents and numerous cousins in the BVI, USVI, St. Vincent, Barbados, Trinidad, U.K and the USA.

HIGH COURT PAYS TRIBUTE TO CROWN COUNSEL KENDOY PENN

The fraternity of the High Court expressed their condolences to Kendoy’s family by inviting them to a Special Sitting of the High Court on Friday 30 September. This special sitting was held in remembrance of Penn, and many legal professionals took that forum to reflect on some of the memories they shared with Penn.

 Attorney General, Hon. Cherno Jallow said that this was certainly a difficult period for the entire judicial fraternity and the community as a whole. Hon. Jallow said that the incident that took the life of Crown Counsel Kendoy Penn was unimaginable. “Kendoy had barely spent a year as a legal practitioner but we can remember his work. He was a man who spoke his mind,  and a man of justice. I remember on many occasions when Kendoy had witnessed something that he considered to be an injustice, and he would rant and rave to his colleagues recommending  that something be done. He was not only a lawyer, he was also a community man, who worked assiduously on his assignments.”

SILENCE ALLOWS CRIMINALS TO CONTINUE

Hon. Jallow pleaded for sanity in the community. He asked the community to lend their support to the police, pointing out that when people have information about crime and keep silent they allow criminals to regroup and come back to commit more crimes. “We cannot be prisoners in our own communities. The best tribute that we can give to Kendoy is to muster all of our resources and bring his killers to justice.”

 Member of the Inner Bar, Mr. J.S. Archibald Q.C stated that the Bar has lost a friend and a colleague. The learned Lawyer said that Kendoy was on his way to becoming a member of the Inner Bar. He added that Penn was a young man with many talents, and was highly trained. “How short the life, how splendid the work”, Archibald commented. He pointed out that Penn was a fair prosecutor who through his skills became a good example to young persons who wanted to go far in life. The Queen’s Counsel reminded that some of the greatest people in history died young. He said that the purpose of our life on earth is service and Kendoy was an example. He recalled that Kendoy had a sense of humor and always saw the brighter side of things.

President of the BVI Bar Association, Mr. Paul Dennis said that the events of the past two weeks have left the legal fraternity and the entire community in shock. The event reminded everyone that we are losing the peace and tranquility of these islands. The distinguished Lawyer pointed out that the life that was taken showed such promise. He told legal practitioners, “as we rally to ensure that those who did this to our colleague are brought to justice, it is in faith that we should trust that he who knows all things, knows this.”

A TIME OF GREAT GRIEF

Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Terrance Williams explained that it was indeed a time of great grief and joy.  Grief, he said in the fact that Kendoy was taken from us, but joy in the fact that he had a chance to know Kendoy. Mr. Williams said that during the time Kendoy served with the Attorney General's Office, his colleagues were illuminated by his presence. He said that he found it hard to believe that it was only 12 months ago that he had welcomed Kendoy as a member of the Bar. Mr. Williams said that “this young man was a credit to the Attorney General's Chambers and the profession.”

Member of the Outer Bar, Ms. Dawn Smith remembered Kendoy Penn as a vocally observant person. She said that maybe one day they will be able to explain to those who look to them for answers, why there are so many unsolved cases: “We are not criminals, we should not have to barricade in our homes while the criminals run free. We have to look back and see what factors are creating an environment that no longer regards human life. I pray that this tragedy will not be buried with Kendoy.”

Her Ladyship Hon. Justice Indra Charles said that she found it difficult to believe that Kendoy, who was so full of life, is gone. Justice Charles recalled that it was a joyous occasion when Penn won his first case in her court against a more experienced attorney. She clearly expressed that Kendoy understood what it was to be a Prosecutor, and was determined to keep the scales of justice leveled.

“How short the life, how splendid the work”

Kendoy Penn was born on 7 March 1975 to Aritha Maloney of Vincentian heritage  and the late Basil Penn, a well known Tortolian. Growing up in the villages of East End and Long Look, Kendoy attended the Willard Wheatley Primary School from 1980-1987. He then went to the BVI High School and graduated in 1993. Even then Kendoy showed an aptitude for persuasion and was a reputed prankster.

In 1994 he joined the Public Service as a Clerical Trainee in the Land Registry. Throughout his tenure he had a consistent record of outstanding performance, and in July 2000 approval was given for him to pursue a course of study in Law at the University of West England, Bristol.

He continued to excel as was expected and did his internship with the local law-firm of O’Neal Webster O’Neal Myers Fletcher & Gordon as they were then called. He completed his Bachelors Degree in November 2002 and passed the Bar from the University of West England and Wales by the Honourable  Society of Lincolns Inn (of which he was a member) that same month.

He later joined the Attorney General’s Chambers as a Professional Cadet and was called to the local Bar in September 2004.

 Kendoy’s sojourn was short but his achievements indicate that he was a role model and an outstanding example for our community.

The Management, Publishers and Staff of The Island Sun newspaper wish to extend their deepest sympathy to  the family, relatives and many friends of Kendoy Penn.