Sister, nieces plead guilty in woman’s murder
Published:Tuesday | February 9, 2021 | 12:21 AMLeon Jackson/Gleaner Writer
Western Bureau:
Three family members who were arrested and charged in connection with last June’s murder of 36-year-old Tamara Geddes, who was shot dead at her home in Reserve district in Trelawny, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder in the Trelawny Circuit Court yesterday.
They are the deceased woman’s sister, 39-year-old Nadeen Geddes, and her daughters, 22-year-old Shanice Ruddock and 16-year-old Janae Smith.
During yesterday’s court sitting, Bryan Shelley, who is accused of killing Geddes in the presence of her young daughter, was not asked to plead because he had no legal representation. He was remanded.
Rexon Knott, who was also charged in connection with the killing, was freed because there was not enough evidence to tie him to the incident.
Attorney-at-law Ernie Smith, who represented Ruddock, told the court that while his client was aware of her mother’s involvement in what was a contract killing, she did not play a role.
“It was clear from the evidence that she knew that her mother had done something wrong, but she did not tell the police,” said Smith. “When she returns to court on the 22nd (February), I will make an application for an appropriate sentence.”
Subsequent to her guilty plea, Ruddock was offered bail in the sum of $100,000. Her father Landae Ruddock, who was present in court, promptly took up the bail offer.
No laughing matter
After his release, Knott told The Gleaner that he was wrongly implicated in the killing.
“I know from earth to Heaven I was not guilty,” said the relieved Knott. “When I was standing in the box, I cannot describe how nervous I was. How the urine did not come running down my pants is hard to explain. I need a strong drink and a good smoke. I can laugh now but inside of that box is no laughing matter.”
Shelley, who was allegedly hired to kill Geddes because of a family squabble over land, was instructed to sort out his legal representation for the next scheduled court hearing on February 22.
Reports are that about 8:30 p.m. on June 19, 2020, Tamara Geddes and her 10-year-old daughter were at home when a masked man, armed with a handgun, forced his way inside the house and held them at gunpoint.
The gunman demanded money and proceeded to rob Geddes of $16,000 in cash and her two cell phones.
He then demanded sex, and when his request was denied, he promptly opened fire at Geddes, killing her on the spot then fled the scene.
Suspicion soon turned on Ruddock and her daughters, who were subsequently arrested. They reportedly confessed to the murder and implicated Shelley and Knott. The two men were later arrested.