Though facing a retrial a little over a month since a jury was unable to reach a verdict on the murder charge levelled against him, Stephon Barlow was back in court yesterday, pleading this time to manslaughter.
He now awaits sentencing which was deferred by Justice Brassington Reynolds, pending the presentation of a probation report.
Barlow had been previously jointly charged with his lover Alexis Turpin for the 2016 murder of Turpin’s partner, Sherwin Johnson.
The indictment was, however, severed yesterday to reflect him alone. He pleaded not guilty to the capital offence, but accepted that on July 2nd, 2016 he unlawfully killed Johnson whom he had beaten and stabbed.
The prosecution’s facts which the offender did not dispute, are that on the day in question Johnson went home and saw the mother of his child with Barlow; as a result of which an argument ensued.
Prosecutor Tyra Bakker said that it was during the verbal altercation that Barlow armed himself with a piece of wood and a knife with which he dealt Johnson several blows and chops, causing him to sustain injuries as a result of which he fell to the ground.
Bakker said that the accused then walked away, leaving the injured man who had to be rushed to the hospital where he later died from the injuries Barlow had inflicted on him.
Barlow is scheduled to be sentenced on April 14th.
Following hours of deliberations on February 17th, a jury was deadlocked and unable to arrive at a verdict for the then jointly-charged duo.
Police have said that Johnson was battered to death with a crowbar
Turpin is currently still facing retrial.
