“Justice has been served.”
The Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP Paula Llewelyn, expressed satisfaction with the ‘guilty verdict’ issued by the jury in the case of Gregory Roberts, who was found guilty of the murder of 15-year-old Shineka Gray.
Following a two-month-long trial, DPP Llewelyn stated, “Justice has been served.”
The verdict was handed down by the seven-member jury in the St. James Circuit Court on the afternoon of Wednesday, January 24, 2024, following just over one hour of deliberation.
Roberts had been jointly charged with Mario Morrison in connection with the 2017 murder of Shineka Gray.
DPP Llewelyn noted her contentment with the jury’s decision, emphasizing the strength of the evidence presented in the case.
Morrison pleaded guilty in September 2022 as part of a plea deal with the State, resulting in a life sentence.
DPP Llewelyn praised Morrison’s full cooperation, which she highlighted as crucial to the prosecution’s case.
She also commended the collaborative efforts of her office and the police in eliminating yet another murderer from the country.
Meanwhile, Shineka’s aunt, Nikida Gray, wept as the guilty verdict was delivered to Gregory Roberts, the man accused of killing her niece. She expressed the family’s satisfaction with the guilty verdict.
Nikida Gray mentioned that the guilty verdict aligns with a memorial service planned for her niece, allowing the family to now reflect on her life, knowing that justice has been served.
Man accused of engaging in sexual activity with his 7-year-old cousin.
The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) reported that Trelawny police have apprehended and charged a 26-year-old individual for allegedly engaging in sexual activity with his seven-year-old cousin in Trelawny.
According to the CPFSA, the incident took place at the man’s residence on Saturday, January 20, 2024. The suspect was taken into custody and formally charged on Monday.
In response to this distressing event, Laurette Adams-Thomas, CEO of the CPFSA, affirmed that the agency is conducting a thorough investigation and will be providing psychological support and any other necessary assistance to the victim and her family.
Adams-Thomas emphasized the long-lasting impact of sexual abuse on victims and strongly denounced all forms of child abuse. Stressing the national imperative to prioritize the eradication of child abuse, she underscored its potential to detrimentally affect children’s mental and psychological development, as well as their future as adults.
“We must advocate for these young victims by extending them essential support and taking every measure to ensure that those responsible for these despicable acts are held accountable,” Adams-Thomas asserted.
His court date is pending.
Fifth suspect charged in the Sarayah Paulwell murder case.
According to media reports, a fifth suspect, Bjon Black, has been arrested and charged in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Toshyna Patterson and her ten-month-old daughter, Sarayah Paulwell, who was the daughter of East Kingston and Port Royal MP Phillip Paulwell.
Bjon Black faces charges of conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to murder, kidnapping, and murder. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions proffered a Voluntary Bill of Indictment against him on January 17, 2024.
He is expected to be joined on an indictment with Leoda Bradshaw and Roland Balfour, who were previously charged with murder and kidnapping. It is believed that Bradshaw orchestrated the murder and kidnapping. The other two initially charged individuals, Richard Brown and Roshane Miller, have already pleaded guilty and been sentenced.
Black’s next court date is scheduled for February 9, 2024, in the Home Circuit Court, and he will update the court on the state of the file as well as on the settlement of legal representation.
Additionally, Black faces charges under the new Firearms Act relating to possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorized possession of ammunition, and dealing in a prohibited weapon. Police suspect that Black provided the weapon used in the shooting of Sarayah and her mother.