“I am very sorry for my involvement in the crime that led to the death of Scherno Rose.”
Those were the words of Shaquille Deshone Maynard as he stood in the dock of the No. 5 Supreme Court, apologising for his role in the shooting death of 40-year-old father of two, Scherno Ricardo Rose, of Neil’s Tenantry, St Michael.
Maynard, of North Close, Wildey, St Michael, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, having initially been charged with murder alongside several others in connection with the fatal May 12, 2016, incident.
“I am expressing a deep-hearted apology to Mr Scherno Rose’s family, his wife and two children, and to my country, Barbados, and to everyone I have affected by that decision I made being involved in that crime,” Maynard stated. “I am going to ask the court to take into account the time that has passed since that incident took place and that I was never the person who fired that fatal shot or the person who was carrying any firearm.”
He said that during his four and a half years on remand, he reflected on the power of choice and on the impact of a bad decision and has worked on changing his life to become a more productive member of society, learning plumbing, masonry, and carpentry in preparation for a better future.
He pleaded with the court to allow him a chance to continue that path of rehabilitation. Three character witnesses also testified on his behalf.
Paralegal Ekundayo Leon-Barker described him as a caring person within the community who had led beautification efforts in several areas. Larson Deagen called him a hardworking individual who went above and beyond, while Terrence Thompson, who knew the convicted man “all his life”, said Maynard had always been soft-spoken and had become even more focused on building his business since being released on bail.
The case is being prosecuted by Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Krystal Delaney, while Maynard is represented by attorney-at-law Safiya Moore.
Justice Pamela Beckles has set sentencing for November 20.
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