Emphasizing the prevalence of murders/ homicides, Justice Sandil Kissoon yesterday imposed a life sentence on Travis Evans for killing Timehri youth Ronsley Clarke, which the judge described as senseless.
Earlier this month, Evans, known as `Short Boss’, threw himself at the mercy of the court, pleading guilty to killing the young man, whom he admitted shooting over a previous disagreement.
Though defence attorney Mark Conway tried desperately to secure the minimum sentence for his client, Justice Kissoon said that given the circumstances under which the young man was shot and killed, he found no factor worthy of a mitigating sentence.
The judge described Evans’ act as “heinous,” “calculated” and “deliberate.”
Surmising that at the time the offence was committed Evans may have thought he would never be held accountable for his actions, Justice Kissoon said that he senselessly killed an unsuspecting Clarke in a most unprovoked attack.
The judge said that apart from sexual offences, murder is the worst offence man can commit on his fellow man.
Underscoring the prevalence of homicides, Justice Kissoon said that a strong message needed to be sent to potential offenders.
In the circumstances, an expressionless Evans was handed the life sentence, with an order that he is not to be eligible for parole until after spending 25 years.
In his address to the court, Conway had advanced for consideration, the fact that his client had admitted guilt at the first-given opportunity, which he noted saves considerable time in otherwise having to have a trial.
He also presented his client as a prisoner of good behaviour, whom he said has been attending anger-management sessions and has also availed himself to learning the skill of carpentry while behind bars.
The lawyer submitted these as factors for potential rehabilitation.
He had, however, agreed with both the judge and prosecution that his client’s previous blemished record could discredit the mitigating plea he was entering for the Court’s consideration.
State Counsel Lisa Cave in asking the Court to impose a sentence which would reflect the nature and gravity of the offence, had informed that Evans had previously been convicted for armed robbery and escaping custody.
She noted, too, that the offender has been charged with rape.
Presenting other aggravating factors, the prosecutor also asked the judge to consider the weapon used, the nature, gravity and also prevalence of the offence; as well as the need to deter like-minded persons.
On April 12th, Evans was indicted for the capital offence, but pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.
His sentence had, however, been deferred for a probation report.
With that report having been seen by the defence, prosecution and Court, the judge admitted it as having been read.
The charge against Evans stated that on August 2nd, 2018 he unlawfully killed Clarke.
The prosecution’s facts are that on the day in question Clarke was attending a birthday celebration at ‘C’ Field Sophia and was sitting on a horse cart in the company of friends when Evans went up to him and shot him three times, before making good his escape.
The prosecutor said that accused subsequently gave a caution statement admitting to the offence; stating that he and Clarke had had a disagreement the day before and that that was his reason for killing him.
An autopsy revealed that Clarke died from haemorrhage and shock due to multiple gunshot injuries.
In December of 2019, Evans admitted to raping and robbing a woman at knife-point of $650,000 in a 2010 attack.
He later withdrew his plea to the rape, stating that he felt pressured into admitting guilt on the sexual offence for which he is now awaiting trial.
He was, however, sentenced to three years on the robbery charge.
He was also one of three prisoners who escaped from the Lusignan Prison in October 2018.
He remains on remand also awaiting trial for the 2018 murder of Kuru Kururu legal clerk, Gregory Frank.
