High Court Imposes Life Sentences for Gang-Related Murder in Barbados

“The attitudes of citizens of this country must be one of ‘It could have been me’, ‘it could have been mine’ and if you understand that you would know what is necessary for you to do. If you have gang members and gun leaders dwelling around you, put them away from your premises, report them if you see them doing nonsense, report it to the appropriate authorities before it’s too late. This should be the case whether the culprit is your brother, your sister, your son, your father, your friend or your friend’s friend. You may be saving your own life or your own son’s or friend’s life.”

Giving a brief overview of the facts, acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Krystal Delaney, who prosecuted the case with Acting Senior State Counsel Anastacia McMeo-Boyce, said that the two men, armed with firearms, went to Sergeants Village, Christ Church, with shirts over their faces and fired several shots in the deceased’s direction as he was standing in the doorway of a shop attached to his home.

She stated that in their interviews with police, they admitted involvement, with Hinds saying that the plan initially was to shoot at another man, but that he shot at the deceased as he had been seen with that man earlier in the day.

However, it was found that Edwards was not the person who had been with the initial target. The prosecutor said that Stoute said he fired at the deceased with a gun that was given to him on the way to the area and denied knowledge of a plan to kill and told police that his intention had been to “stick him up like how the police does do”.

Aggravating factors for both men included the use of firearms, both being armed in advance, the number of shots fired as eight cartridges were recovered, the deceased being shot four times and the impact on his family.

Giving a starting sentence of life imprisonment with a term of 40 years for Hinds, Justice Greaves raised it by five years due to his previous convictions, including disposal of a body, and illegal firearm and ammunition offences, noting that his pre-sentence report deemed him to be at high risk of reoffending.

“This case is a gang case. A tit for tat gang killing and although when it was committed at the time we did not have gang legislation in place – but we are well on the way for that now, we can see from that how serious Parliament and this country is taking this serious problem.”

The judicial officer continued: “I have said when persons use firearms to commit murders in this jurisdiction and there is a risk of reoffending, the courts have a duty to impose a sentence that not only deters them and others like them but to protect society for a long time. The state maintains and should maintain an interest for life in keeping them under supervision.”

Addressing the court before the sentence was passed, both men maintained their innocence, with Hinds saying: “I have been found guilty of a crime I did not commit”, while Stoute said: “I would like to give condolences to Mr Edwards family. I maintain my innocence.”

Senior Counsel Angella Mitchell-Gittens represented Stoute, while defence attorneys Safiya Moore and Michael Rivera represented Hinds.

(JB)