ST JAMES, Jamaica – A lawyer representing the man convicted of the 2017 murder of 15-year-old schoolgirl Shineka Gray on Thursday argued against the crown seeking the death penalty for his client, who he suggested is capable of being rehabilitated.

Chumu Paris told the St James Circuit Court that the death penalty does not apply to his client, Gregory Roberts, because it should only be applied if the court finds that the convicted individual is incapable of reform.

“Murder is always a heinous crime but it is clear that the death sentence must be reserved for exceptional categories of cases within the more serious cases of offence,” stated Paris in his sentencing hearing submission to High Court Justice Bertram Morrison.

He used several case files in his submission to support his argument.

Paris also argued against what he said was the crown’s position in its submission, that sentencing should start at 50 years.

“What the crown is saying is that in the alternative of the death penalty, this man must serve that,” stated Paris.

He argued that absolute fairness was lacking in the case as he referenced Roberts’s co-accused, Mario Morrison, who pleaded guilty in September 2022 after entering a plea deal with the State and was sentenced to life in prison a month later.

“Interestingly, the former co-accused then became the crown’s main witness… he admitted to having sexual intercourse with a minor and was found with her phone [by the police] but he was never indicted for any of those,” Paris said.

He said the starting point presented by the crown should be rejected by the court.

“I submit my Lord that the particular range in dealing with this particular matter, I think it is safe to say, is within 15 years to life, but certainly nearer to 20 and upwards in considering a starting point,” stated Paris, adding “I am submitting that life imprisonment [or] 30 years would not be an appropriate starting point in this case.”

Shineka, who was a grade 10 student at the time of her death, was found dead three days after she had been reported missing. She was last seen alive in Montego Bay while on her way home from the funeral of a schoolmate.
Roberts and Morrison were later taken into custody in connection with the killing.

The sentencing hearing will continue on Friday when the Crown is expected to make its submission.
– Anthony Lewis.