Barbadian to learn his fate

Next Tuesday, July 28, is the date when Barbadian, Anderson Williams will learn his fate.

Williams, 28, was convicted on March 9, 2009, for the murder of Seon Baptiste on March 1, 2007, at Ottley Hall.{{more}} Baptiste died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.

In a statement given by Williams, he revealed that the deceased drew a gun and pulled the trigger but the gun jammed. That was when Williams drew his weapon and shot Baptiste. In that same statement, Williams told police officer Sergeant 222 Selwyn Jack that earlier that morning the deceased had pulled a gun on him and said: “Yuh think is alyo alone get gun.” Williams admitted that he did not answer Baptiste, but went to “Gary’s shop” where the tragic incident took place.

Earlier this week at his sentencing hearing at the High Court, the Social Inquiry report read for Williams indicated that the deceased verbally abused him (Williams) repeatedly. The murderer said he was called many names by the deceased while he lived at Ottley Hall. Williams, who admitted he came to these shores to plant marijuana, said he regretted coming to St Vincent and wondered why Vincentians treat Barbadians in such a harsh manner.

From the information given in the report, Williams was not deemed to be a good prospect for rehabilitation and reform.

Mitigating on Williams’ behalf, counsel Nicole Sylvester addressed the court on the matter of imposing life sentences. “It is inhumane to keep someone in jail without knowing if they can get parole…what does life imprisonment really mean?” she rhetorically asked. She further stated that her client is one who deserves leniency and that he is a good candidate for rehabilitation, given his good behaviour during his incarceration.(KW)