(T&T Guardian) – RONALD BOYNES, one of three candidates challenging Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley for the leadership of the People’s National Movement (PNM), has expressed condolences to the family of the man shot dead by an off-duty police officer during an argument over a parking spot, on October 7.

Boynes said the man’s wife had been a member of his campaign team some years ago.
“As we look across Trinidad and Tobago, it is clear that we are a nation in crisis. There is great anger, sadness, and hopelessness in the land. The murders that are taking place, some of them seem disturbingly senseless, a petty argument escalating to death,” Boynes said.

“Of course, our condolences to the family of our sister Heather Sedeno-Walker whose husband lost his life in that tragic car park incident, that car park shooting in South Trinidad. Heather was actually a member of my team in 2014 when we contested the internal elections,” he said.

Sedeno-Walker’s husband, Jamie Walker, 39, of Orchid Gardens, Pleasantville was the person killed in the incident.
Boynes made the comment hours after filing his nomination for the PNM’s leadership.

He said this country’s crime rate is unacceptable.
“The runaway crime in this beautiful land is threatening to certainly go to record numbers. In fact, it is already at record proportions and we pray and hope that by the end of this year it does not get to 600,” he said.
Boynes said for his campaign he will not be majoring in the minor.

One of those minor issues, he said was his previous membership with the United National Congress.
Boynes said 26 years ago a friend encouraged him to join the UNC.

He said he stayed a member of that party for a few weeks before joining the PNM.
Boynes said the decision to challenge Rowley was not taken lightly.

“There was a part of me even as I was confirming this decision which said ‘why put myself through this, bearing in mind the cantankerous nature of politics in T&T,” he said.
“My faith tells me that even Jesus Christ said Father take this bitter cup from me when he was facing crucifixion although he later said that [is] not my will but thy will be done, so I am using that example to say this that I am willing to put myself on the line because I feel it is necessary for the interest and the welfare of the people of T&T,” he said.