Senior Reporter
derek.achong@guardian.co.tt
Two neighbours from Cocorite have admitted to killing a man after he (the victim) opposed them for robbing his cousin and two friends at MovieTowne, almost 14 years ago.
Kareem Regis and Vincester Billy, both of Freedom Street, Cocorite, yesterday pleaded guilty to felony murder before High Court Judge Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds.
Both men were awaiting trial for murder but were allowed to plead guilty based on a plea agreement with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Under the felony murder rule, the mandatory death penalty for murder is waived in circumstances where death results during the commission of a lesser criminal offence, which in most cases is robbery.
The duo was alleged to have killed 18-year-old Lawrence “Pretty Boy” Taylor on March 6, 2010.
According to the summary of facts in the case, Taylor was liming with his cousin and two friends at the Green Park located between the entertainment complex and the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel at Invader’s Bay in Port-of-Spain, when he stepped away to talk to his girlfriend on his cellphone.
Taylor’s cousin and friends were approached by the duo, who robbed them of their gold chains.
Taylor reportedly sought to challenge the duo as they were walking away.
Regis drew a gun and shot Taylor in the head and chest.
When Regis and Billy, who were 21 and 19 at the time, were arrested months later, they were positively identified by Taylor’s cousin and friends.
They were charged with Taylor’s murder, robbery with aggravation, two charges of robbery with violence and possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, which was accepted by Justice Ramsumair-Hinds after she questioned the duo about their willingness to enter into it, the men agreed to plead guilty to felony murder in exchange for the DPP’s office recommending a starting sentence of 28 years in prison.
The DPP’s office also agreed to discontinue the lesser charges they were accused of.
During the hearing, State prosecutor Charmaine Samuel noted that Taylor’s cousin and friends declined to provide victim impact statements, which could have been considered by Justice Ramsumair-Hinds in deciding on the appropriate sentence for the duo.
Justice Ramsumair-Hinds did not immediately sentence the duo as she gave prosecutors and the duo’s defence lawyers time to file written submissions on possible discounts and deductions.
The men will receive a one-third discount on their sentence based on their guilty pleas and the time they spent on remand before agreeing will be deducted from their final sentence.
They may also receive discounts for participating in rehabilitative programmes in prison and if they had a clean criminal record before being implicated in Taylor’s murder.
Regis was represented by Larry Williams and Toni Roberts, while Arden Williams represented Billy.
The duo is expected to be sentenced next Tuesday.