A 38-year-old man from Beetham Gardens has been released from prison after spending more than half of his life there for murdering a police officer in 2002.
In March 2005, Kerron Joseph was convicted of murdering 39-year-old police constable Kieron Parke by a 12-member jury before now-retired High Court and Appeal Court Judge Malcolm Holdip.
Parke, a father of two who was assigned to the Court and Process Branch, was in the process of serving a court summons at a mini-mart at Ajodha Street, Don Miguel Road, Barataria on December 30, 2002, when he was shot in his back by Joseph.
Joseph reportedly stole Parke’s service pistol and rode away on his bicycle.
As Joseph was 16 years old at the time of Parke’s murder, he was spared the mandatory death penalty for the offence and instead sentenced at the court’s pleasure to complete a minimum term of 20 years before he could be considered for release.
Joseph challenged his conviction, but his appeal was rejected by the Court of Appeal, which affirmed his sentence in 2008.
Last year, Joseph’s lawyers, Michelle Ali and Shuzvon Ramdass, of the Public Defenders’ Department (PDD), applied to the High Court Registrar to have his case listed for sentence review when he completed the minimum term in March.
They later submitted that Joseph should be released, as the punitive aspect of sentencing had been achieved through Joseph serving the lengthy sentence.
They also pointed out that although Joseph committed minor disciplinary infractions whilst in prison, prison officials still recommended his release.
“There is no risk that he would re-offend against the law, and he has openly expressed his remorse for his actions,” they said.
They also noted that Joseph had tangible employment prospects as he spent almost a decade in prison honing his skills as a tailor.
Prosecutor Destinee Gray of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) agreed with their suggestion.
“The reports reflect that the prisoner has made efforts to prepare himself for reintegration into society,” she said.
“While it is apparent that support is required for this process, the prisoner seems to have a ready and willing family structure capable of doing so upon his release,” she added.
On Monday, Justice Cedeno considered the consistent positions and agreed to order Joseph’s release under the provisions of the Children’s Act.
She ruled that it would serve no useful purpose to further detain him.
The DPP’s Office was also represented by Assistant DPP Stacy Laloo-Chong and Ann Mahabir.
