Hefty jail sentences for Redemption Sharpes men who conspired to murder their friend

Two men have been sentenced to prison for 25 and 28 years respectively for conspiring to murder a Redemption Sharpes man, their friend, over a conflict that ensued among them.

Dwayne Stephens, 33, and Mwarta Henry, 31, appeared at High Court #2 before Justice Rickie Burnett on Wednesday,May 15 where they were sentenced that they on a date unknown between February 27 and March 2, 2018 at Redemption Sharpes did agree with others that a course of conduct shall be pursued, which, if the agreement was carried out in accordance with their intentions will amount to the commission of murder on Collrise “Quinn” Pompey of Redemption Sharpes. A 16 year old male was charged alongside the men, but he died before the commencement of the trial.

The judge’s summation stated that the men’s motive for the crime was a series of conflicts that ensued among friends. Evidence in this matter which proved that the men conspired to kill Pompey and then celebrated his death afterwards were extracted from a cellular device. On the night before Pompey’s death, the men discussed the conspiracy. There were also phone calls between Henry and Stephens at 4:30 on the morning of Pompey’s death.

Later the same day, Stephens, Henry and the 16 year old were in a car that Henry had obtained. Pompey was later shot and killed by a man who was wearing a jacket resembling that of Stephens. Afterwards, Stephens and Henry were seen in the same car that Henry had obtained. The car was later hidden by the accused.

Text messages were recovered of Stephens celebrating Pompey’s death. Text messages between Henry and his girlfriend also showed that Henry had a desire to kill Stephens for revealing information about the conspiracy to the authorities.

In sentencing, Justice Burnett had a starting point of 25 years for both offenders. Aggravating of the offence and offender was that there was use of a weapon, a gun. There were also attempts to conceal evidence. Justice Burnett also considered that there is an upsurge crimes using guns in the country, and that the offence was committed in a public setting.

He also considered that a minor was employed to commit the offence, and both offenders had previous convictions. As a result, the sentence was increased by three years for both offenders, resulting in a notional sentence of 28 years imprisonment. Mitigating of Stephens is that he provided assistance to the police and gave evidence against his co-accused during the trial. As a result, his sentence was reduced by three years.

Henry had no mitigating factors so his sentence was not reduced. Therefore he was sentenced to 28 years in prison. However, Henry had already spent four years, two months, and seven days on remand so he will serve a remainder of 23 years, nine months, and 23 days in prison. He is currently serving a 45 year sentence for murder, so his 28 year sentence will run consecutively with the sentence that he is already serving.

Stephens was sentenced to 25 years in prison. However, he had already spent six years, two months and seven days on remand; he therefore will serve a remainder of 18 years, nine months, and 23 days in prison. The men were convicted of the crime on November 8, 2023.

Pompey was shot and killed on the morning of March 2, 2018 near a bar located in the vicinity of the Redemption Sharpes Playing field. An autopsy carried out on the following Monday, March 5, 2018, determined that the bullet went through Pompey’s left cheek and severed his spine at the base of his neck.

A social inquiry report presented in court stated that Henry is a father of one child. When he was jailed, he was very difficult as he broke the prison rules. He has recently been baptised and now abides by the rules. Dwayne Stephens also has one child. When he resided in Redemption Sharpes, he hung around the men from that area and got into trouble with the police.

Representing the Crown in this matter was Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Karim Nelson. The defendants were unrepresented.