Accused gets 17 years for killing art teacher

Southwood resident Randy Gurley was on Monday sentenced to 17 years imprisonment for the murder of Belvedere resident Jennifer Lewis.

Gurley, 25, pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared at the High Court before acting High Court judge, Rajiv Persad.{{more}}

However, his co-defendant, Yashangas McMillan maintained his not guilty plea and his matter was traversed to the next practical sitting of the assizes.

Lewis was shot in her chest and killed on June 17, 2012, at about 3 a.m., while at home with her 88-year-old mother.

According to the facts, Gurley and a group of men had gone to the Lewis’ home to commit a burglary, but after they were warded off, they left. Gurley, however, returned and fired a shot into the house, killing Lewis.

In handing down sentence, Justice Persad said he found it disturbing that Gurley had the “boldfaceness” to return to the house armed with a gun.

“The lady lost her life with that single shot. You will have to live with that for the rest of your life. If we went through a full trial and you were found guilty, I would have no problem sentencing you to 25 years,” the judge stated.

The judge said although Gurley expressed remorse in the Social Inquiry Report, the court also has to be mindful of the family of the victim.

Lewis, 46, a professional painter, sculptor and educator, was killed two days after celebrating her 46th birthday. She had relocated to St Vincent from the United Kingdom to take care of her elderly parents.

In addition to his 17-year jail sentence, Gurley was further sentenced to seven years for possession of a firearm with intent to injure, nine years for possession of a firearm with intent to aid in the commission of an offence and three years for unlawful use of a firearm.

His sentences will run concurrently.

Gurley and McMillan were initially charged, along with Sheldon Gurley, 27, of Diamond and Jaden Daniel, 18, of Prospect. However, Sheldon Gurley and Daniel were acquitted at the Preliminary Inquiry at the Serious Offences Court. (KW)