Underscoring the premeditated and gruesome manner in which taxi driver Orin David was killed execution-style in broad daylight in the presence of his family and neighbours, Justice Sandil Kissoon yesterday handed ex-soldier Jermaine Jefford a life sentence for the crime.
David was gunned down on August 1st, 2016
Jefford was unanimously convicted by a jury last month, but his sentence had been deferred for a probation report.
Presenting that report yesterday was Senior Pro-bation and Social Services Officer Carol Beresford who said that her investigations had revealed that the 28-year-old father of one was well known for being a part of gangs since attending school.
The court heard that his behavioural pattern had always been characterized by indiscipline and that members of his community had shared that he had always been involved with company of questionable character.
She said that against that background, they related not being surprised after learning about his involvement in the crime.
Beresford said that in her interview with Jefford, he maintained his innocence, but did note that having been found guilty by the jury, he was sorry for the loss of life and begged that the judge be lenient.
Before imposing the sentence, Justice Kissoon recalled the gruesome manner in which David’s life was snuffed out in front of so many—including his now teen son—who Beresford said is still traumatized by the entire ordeal he witnessed.
The judge said that David was a productive member of society who became the victim of a “senseless, heinous and premeditated act” committed at the hands of Jefford who had said he would kill him, and later acted upon that threat.
The judge went on to recall from the autopsy report the extensive destruction caused to David’s body, especially his heart, lungs and the perforation of other vital organs.
Justice Kissoon said that given the significant level of premeditation coupled with all the other aggravating factors, they far outweighed any consideration for Jefford’s relative youthfulness at the commission of the crime.
On this point the judge said that a strong message of deterrence needed to be sent to potential offenders, especially given the prevalence of murders in society.
In the circumstances, Justice Kissoon said he considered life in prison to be an appropriate sentence; ordering that Jefford not be eligible for parole before completing 30 years behind bars.
The judge further ordered, however, that deductions be made by the prison authorities for time the offender would have spent on remand awaiting trial.
In a brief victim impact statement to the court, David’s wife said that she was happy that justice was finally served.
Jefford was represented by Senior Counsel Stanley Moore; while the state’s case was presented by Prosecutor Lisa Cave.
David, of Lot 89 Laing Avenue, was reportedly drinking alcohol with friends and relatives near his house when he was approached by two persons whom he knew.
The three men engaged in a conversation away from the drinking and were later seen arguing over what was reported to have been money owed to David.
Stabroek News had previously reported that an eyewitness had said the two men left and returned with others, while pointing out that when the two men returned, two vehicles and two motorcycles with men came with them.
The eyewitness had spoken of observing one of the men trying to hide a big gun.
It was when David began walking back to the men that the man with the gun pulled it out and fired three shots, hitting David.
Jefford’s co-accused, Howard Rambarose, was acquitted of the murder after his attorney successfully presented a no-case submission.
Following the preliminary inquiry (PI) in 2017, two other men, Reagus Lamazon and Samuel McIntyre, who had also been charged with murdering David were freed after a court found that there was insufficient evidence for them to stand trial.