Death penalty being sought for killer of Toshyna Patterson, 10-month-old daughter
KINGSTON, Jamaica— The prosecution has announced that it is seeking the death penalty against David Smith, the alleged trigger man in the murder of Member of Parliament Phillip Paulwell’s 10-month-old daughter, Sarayah, and her mother, Toshyna Patterson.
The notice was served in the Home Circuit Court on Wednesday.
In a statement released following the notice, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said its decision came after reviewing the material from the case.
Six people have been implicated in the gruesome murders which took place after Patterson and her infant daughter were kidnapped from their home on September 9, 2023. It is alleged that the killing was instructed by Leoda Bradshaw, who shares a child with Paulwell and who is a culinary specialist in the United States Navy.
Richard Brown, Roshane Miller and Roland Balfour were subsequently arrested and charged with the kidnapping and murders. On November 15, 2023 Brown pleaded guilty to two counts of kidnapping and murder and was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment.
Miller, meanwhile, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to kidnap as well as two counts of accessory before the fact to murder, and was sentenced to seven years and 10 months’ imprisonment.
READ: 6th person, described as prime suspect, held in Paulwell family murder
Bradshaw, who is also charged with two counts of capital murder and two counts of conspiracy to kidnap, and Balfour, who has been charged with two counts of accessory before the fact to kidnapping and two counts of accessory before the fact to murder, have not yet been sentenced.
The Court heard on Wednesday that she paid individuals to kidnap Patterson and her daughter and conspired with Balfour, Brown, Miller, Black and Smith to have them killed. It is alleged that Smith is the ‘triggerman’ who after allegedly being given the gun by Black, used it to shoot and kill Patterson and Sarayah Paulwell. It is also alleged that Smith also sent a picture of the deceased females by phone to Bradshaw on her request while at the scene of the murder.
