THREE weeks after 63-year-old senior paralegal at Nunes, Scholefield, DeLeon and Company Sandra Risden was brutally gunned down during early morning, rush-hour traffic on Washington Boulevard, St Andrew, the police on Friday said they have charged a man with her murder.
The police reported that 30-year-old mechanic Ojo Russell, alias Jerry Stunts of Woodpecker Avenue, Kingston 11, has also been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and unauthorised possession of ammunition.
He is booked to appear before Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday, February 13.
On January 18, 2024, just before 8:00 am, Risden was on her way to work when, on reaching the vicinity of Aldene Drive, a motorcycle with two men aboard drove up beside her car. Police said the pillion pulled a firearm and shot the well-loved and respected paralegal, then drove off.
An off-duty policeman pursued the hitmen but aborted the chase when one of the men pointed a gun at him.
At the time police had said it was clear that the attack on Risden was a hit, but they were unable to determine a motive. However, a source had told the Jamaica Observer that she may have been targeted over a matter regarding a family owned house which she had responsibility to manage, but of which she was not a beneficiary.
Police said Russell was arrested and subsequently charged after he was identified as the shooter.
Risden was employed to the law firm for more than 35 years. She was hailed by her colleagues as a dedicated and loyal member of the team.