David Smith, the triggerman in the murder of Member of Parliament Phillip Paulwell’s 10-month-old daughter, Sarayah, and her mother, Toshyna Patterson, has been sentenced to life in prison for the crime.

The Kingston-based painter is to serve a minimum of 45 years behind bars before becoming eligible for parole.

The sentencing was handed down by Chief Justice Bryan Sykes on Friday under a reported plea deal.

Smith was among a number of persons charged in the double murder which rocked the nation.

Patterson and her daughter were reported missing on September 9, 2023. Prosecutors say the mother and daughter were taken to Warieka Hills in St Andrew where they were shot and killed and their bodies burnt.

The alleged mastermind behind the killing, former United States Navy culinary specialist Leoda Bradshaw is charged with two counts of conspiracy to murder, two counts of conspiracy to kidnapping, two counts of kidnapping, and two counts of capital murder.