We feel forgotten, as if my brother’s death means nothing at all
– Sheku Bayoh’s sister Kadi Johnson Family’s fury at Crown Office delays heaps pressure on prosecutors
The sister of a man who died in police custody piled pressure on prosecutors yesterday over the time they’ve taken investigating his death.
Trainee gas engineer Sheku Bayoh, 31, died after being restrained by officers in Kirkcaldy on May 3, 2015.
But justice chiefs are still investigating whether criminal charges will be brought in the case, as well as the M9 tragedy of 2015.
Both cases are expected to be subject to Fatal Accident Inquiries but they can only take place once a decision on criminal proceedings has been taken.
Mr Bayoh’s sister Kadi Johnson last night said: “It is over two years and we have no conclusion from the Lord Advocate. I am disappointed and feel like we have been forgotten about and our brother’s case is of no importance at all. But we are still hurting. This is on our minds we lost a brother through the hands of the police.”
Lawyer Aamer An war, who is representing Mr Bayoh’s family, said: “As each day goes by, the family of Sheku Bayoh loses a little more faith in the justice system.”
Calum Steele, of the Scottish Police Federation, which is representing the officers involved in the Bayoh case, said: “It is difficult to understand why these processes are taking so long.”
A spokesman for the Crown Office said: “We appreciate the impact lengthy investigations can have on those involved and we are committed to resolving them as soon as we can. At the same time, our priority must be to carry out a full and thorough investigation and, in complex cases, this takes time.
“The families of those who died are being kept informed of progress.”
Each day, the family lose more faith in the justice system – Lawyer Aamer Anwar