One of the men who was sentenced for his role in killing Jamaican Member of Parliament Phillip Paulwell’s 10-month-old daughter and her mother has apologized to the nation.
Richard Brown, a 31-year-old graphic artist from Kingston, was on Wednesday sentenced to 30 years in prison on each of the two counts of murder for the killing of baby Sarayah and her mother, Toshnya Patterson.
He was also sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison on each of the two counts of kidnapping of the mother and daughter from their home in Kingston on September 9. The sentences are to be served concurrently and he has been ordered to serve 20 years before he is eligible for parole.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Brown pleaded guilty to his role as the driver who transported Patterson and Sarayah from Stony Hill, along with the shooter and other persons, to a scene in East Kingston where they were killed.
He also said he accepted part payment from co-accused, Leoda Bradshaw, on behalf of his co-conspirators for the execution of the plan to kidnap and kill Patterson and Sarayah.
Following the sentencing, Brown delivered a letter to his attorney, to be read to the media, in which he expressed remorse for his actions.
“I want my lawyer to tell the family of the baby and her mother and the Jamaican public that I am very sorry for the loss of their lives. I want my lawyer to also tell my mentor that I [am] very sorry for the disappointment. I hope one day everyone will find it possible to forgive me,” the lawyer, Rita Allen-Brown, read.
“He didn’t mention who the mentor was. He just handed me a note today that he wants me to read to the media,” Allen-Brown said.
No evidence to tie accomplice to crimes
Brown’s accomplice, Roshane Miller, was sentenced to serve seven years and 10 months for each count of accessory before the fact to murder; two years and 10 months for each count of conspiracy to kidnap; and one year and 10 months for misprision of felony. The sentences are to run concurrently.
A statement from the DPP said Miller pleaded guilty to participating in the planning of the murder of Patterson and Sarayah. But it said there was no evidence that Miller was on the scene on the day of the kidnapping and murders or that he participated in the actual kidnapping and murders.
Leoda Bradshaw, the United States Navy Officer said to be the mastermind behind the crime, along with her co-accused Roland Lloyd Balford, have been remanded until a further hearing scheduled for December 1.
