In a major decision, the Appeal Court has reversed the death penalty imposed on Peter Dougal, the man who was convicted for the 2005 murder of former President of the Jamaica Gasoline Retailers Association, Lloyd G. Brown, and his companion Sandra Campbell.
The five member Appeal Court panel ruled on Monday that Dougal should serve life imprisonment.
He will not be eligible for parole until he serves 45 years behind bars.
The Appeal Court which had a special sitting in December last year to hear the appeal of the 40-year-old murder convict said it will give its written reasons at a later date.
This is a major decision as the five member Appeal Court panel was assembled to examine whether it is excessive to impose the death penalty in a case such as Dougal's.
This is also a victory for Dougal who had accepted his conviction, but was opposed to the death sentence.
At the appeal, Dougal's attorney Dr. Randolph Williams had argued that the murder of the couple did not fall under the category of being exceptional, therefore attracting the death penalty.
He said the sentence of death was excessive.
Dougal was sentenced to death in 2007 for the 2005 murder of L.G. Brown and Sandra Campbell.
Mr. Brown and Ms Campbell were shot dead at Ms. Campbell's residence in Stony Hill, St. Andrew on June 5, 2005.
A few hours later, Dougal was captured with the murder weapon.
A photograph of Mr. Brown was also found on him--suggesting that it was a contract killing.
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