A High Court judge has sentenced convicted murderer Shawayne Williams to 38 years and 138 days in prison, declaring that the courts must play a central role in curbing gun violence and protecting the public.
Informing Williams of his fate, Justice Laurie-Anne Smith-Bovell said that the courts must serve the public’s interest in fighting the scourge of gun violence in this country.
Williams, of White Hall, St Michael, was unanimously found guilty by a jury of murdering Tavon Alleyne, the cousin of National Hero and global superstar Rihanna, near his Eden Lodge, St Michael home on Boxing Day in 2017.
Citing Director of Public Prosecutions Reference No. 1 of 2003, Justice Smith-Bovell quoted: “This court has a duty to protect the public as far as it can from the wanton violence perpetrated by some of our young people. Public concern about illegal firearms and violence and the need for general deterrence must be reflected in the sentences passed by the courts. The public are entitled to expect the courts to play their part in fighting the proliferation of firearms and violence. These courts serve the public interest.”
During the trial, the court heard that Alleyne arrived in a taxi which stopped on the main road sometime around seven pm. On alighting from the taxi, gunshots rang out and, at the end, the deceased lay on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. An eyewitness who saw a man running away identified him as Williams. Another witness stated that Williams had been on the block earlier that evening but had been absent when the gunshots were heard and returned shortly after.
Outlining the aggravating factors, she listed: “There was some element of premeditation and planning as the now convicted man went to the scene with a firearm and there had to be some form of communication with someone else for him to have known to be present in the area at the same time the deceased was arriving in the taxi; the deceased was ambushed and unarmed; the shooting appeared to be an act of revenge for an earlier shooting of the now convicted man by someone; the use of a firearm and the fact that the firearm was not recovered; and the offence was committed in public, placing members of society at risk of serious injury; particularly those in the house where the incident happened and the driver of the taxi who dropped off the deceased as the taxi driver the following day found bullet holes in his vehicle.”
Justice Smith-Bovell reached a 39-year starting point, adding two years for his poor presentence report and high risk of reoffending, previous convictions for serious bodily harm and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and use of illegal drugs.
Williams was credited six months for delay, and his 774 days spent on remand were deducted.
The judge said: “Shawayne Williams for the offence of murder as at today’s date you are sentenced to imprisonment at Barbados Prisons Dodds for 38 years, 138 days. Based on the psychological and psychiatric reports, I further order that you enrol in any programmes which would develop basic academic and vocational skills to allow you to reintegrate into society at the end of your sentence, you enrol in any psychotherapeutic rehabilitative programmes deemed as necessary by the psychologist and/or psychiatrist.
“You are also to enrol in any other programmes not already identified that are deemed necessary by the psychologist, and/or the prison authorities for your rehabilitation.”
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Alliston Seale SC and State Counsel Paul Prescod prosecuted the case, while Williams was represented by Senior Counsel Angella Mitchell-Gittens.
(JB)
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