Toshyna Patterson and her daughter Sarayah Paulwell
.png)
Racquel Porter reports
David Smith, who pleaded guilty to his involvement in the abduction and killing of politician Phillip Paulwell's 10-month-old daughter, Sarayah, and her mother, Toshyna Patterson, has been sentenced to life in prison.
Smith will have to serve a minimum of 45 years before being eligible for parole.
He was sentenced by Chief Justice Bryan Sykes in the Home Circuit Court on Friday under a plea deal arrangement with the Crown.
The Chief Justice accepted the agreement in sentencing Smith to 25 years for the murder of Ms. Patterson and life imprisonment for the murder of Sarayah.
He is the serve of 45 years before being eligible for parole, two years for kidnapping Ms. Patterson and three years for kidnapping Sarayah.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
Smith was among several people charged in connection with the September 2023 abduction and killing of Ms. Patterson and her young daughter.
Smith, the triggerman, pleaded guilty in June to two counts of murder and two counts of kidnapping. He was represented by attorneys Franklin Grenyion and Shamar Hanson.
In the meantime, the trial of alleged mastermind Leoda Bradshaw, her cousin Roland Balfour and Bjorn Black, is set to begin on February 22, 2027.
Ms. Bradshaw, a former United States Navy petty officer, faces two counts each of capital murder, conspiracy to murder, kidnapping and conspiracy to kidnap.
Mr. Balfour and Mr. Black also face multiple charges arising from the case.
Prosecutors say Sarayah and her mother were abducted from their St. Andrew home, taken to East Kingston and later shot and burned.
Ms. Bradshaw, Mr. Balfour and Mr. Black are to return to court on February 8 for a trial readiness hearing.
comments powered by Disqus
All feeds
