30 years too small - Residents want long sentences in double murder case

Residents in the Rockfort area in east Kingston are calling for long sentences for those convicted of the murders of Toshyna Patterson and her daughter Sarayah Paulwell.

One of the accused, Roland Balfour, a 30-year-old graphic designer is from the area, but residents are adamant that anyone who is found guilty or confesses to the crime, must face the full penalty.

"We don't know what a man does at night or day. We see them around the community, and nobody has a problem with them. So if they plead guilty, it will shock the world," said one resident.

Yesterday, Richard Brown, 32, who also allegedly has ties to Rockfort, pleaded guilty to his role as the driver who transported Patterson, 27, and 10-month-old Sarayah from Stony Hill, St Andrew, along with the shooter and other persons, to a scene in east Kingston where they were later 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.

Brown was sentenced to 30 years in prison on each of the two counts of murder, and one year and 10 months each for two counts of kidnapping. As part of a plea deal with the director of public prosecutions, he is set to serve 20 years before being eligible for parole.

Expressing discontent with the sentence, a community member stated, "Mi think 30 years too small fi dem. If you can hold a gun pon a 10-month-old baby is a serious thing. How dem fi get 30 years? That a wickedness!"

"If mi a di judge, mi put them away until hanging resume, and that fi start now because you can imagine your tax money a go to dem people deh?" said another resident.

Roshane Miller, a 29-year-old air conditioning technician, who also agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors, will serve just over seven years behind bars for his role. He received sentences for two counts of accessory before the fact to murder, conspiracy to kidnap, and misprision of felony.

Balfour, who is Bradshaw's cousin, faces charges of conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to kidnap, and misprision of felony. Bradshaw is also charged with two counts each of capital murder, conspiracy to murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy to kidnapping. Both are scheduled to appear in the Home Circuit Court on December 1.

The residents are hoping justice will be done, thus ensuring closure for the victims' family.

"You see especially fi di baby weh wouldn't even recognise them, dat did cold. It could be your pickney, enuh, or any one a we pickney," one man told THE STAR.