Counselor Diane Finnegan says Justin didn’t have to die

This evening, youth counselor and coordinator of the Youth Apprenticeship Program Diane Finnegan weighed in on the life of Justin Hyde and his contribution to the intervention program coordinated by former officer-in-charge of Southside Belize City Chester Williams along with Finnegan and Nuri Muhammad. In support of his intention to change his lifestyle, Finnegan recalled a poignant moment when Hyde came face-to-face with a rival at one of the last intervention meetings held around the time when there was a murder in Hyde’s neighborhood.

Diane Finnegan, Youth Counselor

Diane Finnegan

“My purpose is more to highlight on who this young man is, who he was, beside the picture that would be painted, the negative picture painted on him, a talented musician, a talented artist, who had so much to offer within this country, yet it is so sad that no one has taken the time to see that part of him and do anything to enhance that part of him. He did not have to die if opportunities were available to him to manifest the greatness that was within him. When it come to the statement made that his past caught up on him, I truly don’t believe, I don’t want to believe that because of the fact that if the interventions were still running as normal, those concerns would have been addressed. Those key individual would have been brought to the table to deal with whatever concerns. Just before Chester left and there was a murder in Jane Usher and I remember when we brought these parties to the table including Justin and I remember seeing his tear, he was crying facing this young man and speaking about the relationship, they once lived together, once enjoyed together. We are all human beings which mean we are capable of putting things behind us and moving on from there. What is lacking is opportunities and resources to keep these guys busy that would allow them to become productive citizens of this country. When that is in place, then we will see the massive changes.”