Lawyer for man convicted of killing Shineka Gray says client capable of reform

The attorney for Gregory Roberts, the man convicted of the killing 15-year-old schoolgirl Shineka Gray, today asked the St James Circuit Court to consider his client's capacity to be reformed in determining a custodial sentence.

Chumu Parris made the appeal while making submissions during Roberts' sentencing hearing.

Parris asked presiding High Court Justice Bertram Morrison to consider between 20 and 25 years as an approximate starting point for Roberts' term of imprisonment.

“I submit that a particular way in dealing with this particular matter, I think it is safe to say, would be within 15 years to life, but certainly nearer to 20 and upwards in considering a starting point…I am submitting that life imprisonment, 30 years, would not be an appropriate starting point in this case,” Parris told Morrison.

“Rehabilitation is one of the principles of sentencing, and to seek the death penalty, somebody is incapable of reform, and the court has to be satisfied that that person is incapable of reform. This man, even when found guilty, is capable of some reform, and it is a question of how your lordship deals with that…there is sufficient basis to find that, though this is a horrible murder, it is not the worst of the worst,” Parris added.

Parris' submission came after the court heard a victim impact statement from Nickeda Gray, the aunt of the deceased teen, who described the anguish and trauma she and her relatives have experienced since the teenager's murder on January 29, 2017.

“Gregory's actions have cause such misery and disruption to my extended family's households, which we strive to maintain. Since Shineka was forced from our lives, we have struggled to function sanely each day,” Gray said in the statement, which was read in her stead by the court registrar.

“I have been unable to sleep since February 1, 2017 when we had to identify her body. I am no longer able to trust people like I did before, I struggle with anxiety attacks, and there are times when I get to a truly deep dark place called depression,” she added.

The court also heard from two character witnesses for Roberts, who both described him as a quiet individual and who testified to being surprised at the news that he had been arrested and charged in relation to the younger Gray's murder.

The sentencing hearing will continue on Friday morning when the prosecution will make submissions.

Roberts was found guilty of Gray's murder at the close of his trial on January 24 this year, when a seven-member jury issued its verdict against him after 85 minutes of deliberation.

- Christopher Thomas

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