TRELAWNY, Jamaica – Gregory Robert, the man found guilty for the murder of 15-year-old schoolgirl Shineka Gray in 2017, had his sentencing delayed on Thursday when the matter was called up in the Trelawny Circuit Court in Duncans in the parish.

The case originally commenced in November 2023 in the St James Circuit Court and a verdict was given on January 24. However, the sentencing was sent to Trelawny to allow High Court Justice Bertram Morrison who is now presiding in Trelawny to hand down the sentence.

When the matter was called up, prosecutor Andrea Martin-Swaby told Justice Morrison that he ordered the prosecution and the defence to make a written submission in time for sentencing. Martin-Swaby said the prosecution did so electronically on March 5 and a physical copy provided at a later date.

Martin-Swaby said a social enquiry report was also prepared by the probation department. An antecedent report was also prepared.

However, according to Justice Morrison, the matter was adjourned as a result of a combination of factors, including Roberts’ attorney Chumu Paris being seized upon at the last moment to make a submission to the court on behalf of the lead attorney Leroy Equiano. Paris however, was unable to do so and had proposed that it be done orally. But Justice Morrison pointed out that based on the nature of the case and the public’s interest, he would prefer to receive the submission in writing ahead of the sentencing date.

“Having said so, the matter will now be reverted to the St James Circuit Court on the 4th of April for sentencing,” stated Justice Morrison, who then apologised to all parties involved, including the family of Gray for the inconvenience caused.

Gray’s partially decomposed body was found riddled with stab wounds Wednesday afternoon, three days after she was reported missing.

The gruesome discovery was made by residents of Clark Street in her Mount Salem community who had summoned the police to a section of the Meadows of Irwin, a short distance from her school.

READ: Two charged with murder of 15-y-o Shineka Gray

– Anthony Lewis