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Murder Victim “Ghost” Was Muslim Convert
posted (April 13, 2015)
At the top of the news - we told you about the murder of Edward Ghost Usher and showed you the explosive aftermath deep in the territory of the Ghost Town Crips. The narrative of his demise seems simple enough - gang man, killed by youth in gang land. But it's not that simple, really.

Today in a sit down with Usher's mother - Evadney Welch- she told Monica Bodden how her son changed his life and became a Muslim. Still, she told us that her son was constantly harassed by police officers who created a bad name for him.

Evadney Welch, Mother of Deceased
"He was born and raised on #3 Kraal Road. We came to live here in 1977, and have been living here for 37/38 years. He grew up back here, went to Lake I School, graduated from there. He was a nice young little boy. He use to sell bottle, picking up bottles about and selling them. I use to get up in the morning and make 10lbs of Journey Cakes, and he use to sell them. I use to work hard to support them. He sold his weed, and anytime he gets in trouble I would go to bail him out. But no one's perfect and anytime he sells his weed the police holds him - this one squeals on him. I would have to go bail him out. In all of what's happened, he got enough of it and went to the States. In 2008 he came back and brought back a lot of Belizean things that I like. He sold the flag, the hat and other things to sell at the tourist village, but anytime the police saw him, they never liked him. They painted him 'black', and didn't want him to sell out there. Well, he went about and got into gambling with some boys right at the tire shop, to make their little money and buy boledo. He would go to do a little job, and another little job they didn't wanted to hire him, because he was a deportee."

Monica Bodden
"So Mrs. Welch, you'd say that when your son came back from the U.S he was a changed person, he was a...?"

Evadney Welch, Mother of Deceased
"He was all around and about with the boys he said and if he came in the night and knocked on the door, I knew it was him. Every day when I cooked food I left some for him."

Monica Bodden
"So he wasn't I any gang to your knowledge?"

Evadney Welch, Mother of Deceased
"Not to me but he was with Roger, because Roger works with Mr. Woods and he has to have someone with him there, because they had the guys back there."

Monica Bodden
"So he was working with Mr. Woods?"

Evadney Welch, Mother of Deceased
"Yes, Roger was their boss and he got a house back there. They fixed the house and rented a rooms where he cooks for all the boys back there. When I went to look for the things Monday, everything that belonged to me, pot, my dish, my vase, pot, spoons and things....everyone cooked and ate right at his house. They were friends, he never named "Ghost," he name Edward Usher, but a movie that came out, 'Ghost and Culture' - they called him culture. That was a long, long time."

Monica Bodden
"So that's where he got the nickname 'ghost'?"

Evadney Welch, Mother of Deceased
"Ghost yes, and they called the other ones the same thing. I told them to change their name and to not call anyone it. When I got the news the morning, I couldn't take it. I didn't know where I was, and when I went I saw the police and said 'no, no one tell me, bring him here I want to see him now, he's for me. He doesn't live with me, he comes to me for his food and it's the same house that he lives in which he rented from the people. The same steps he got shot and when I turned his head and I saw the blood and held him and said 'why shouldn't I touch him?' I told them I told them I hope they find the killer, because they haven't found my grandson's killer as yet."

Welch was talking about her 24 year old grandson, Malcom Wagner, who was murdered at the corner of Flamboyant and Poinsettia Streets in June of last year.

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