Barbados Murder Sentencing Pushed Back Over Missing Court Report

A judge has postponed handing down punishment to a man who confessed to killing another, after a background document ordered months ago failed to arrive.

Barbados Murder Sentencing Pushed Back Over Missing Court Report

A convicted killer will have to wait longer to learn his fate after a key court document failed to reach the bench on time, drawing sharp words from the presiding judge.

Justice Carlisle Greaves voiced frustration at the No. 3 Supreme Court when the matter was called, noting that a report meant to inform the sentence had been requested on March 31 yet remained outstanding. The jurist labelled the wait "unacceptable" and warned that such lapses pile pressure on an already strained docket.

"The court is disturbed by the delay ... these cause considerable stress to these courts as it adds to the backlog," he said.

The missing document, known as a pre-sentence report, is meant to detail an offender's history, attitude toward the crime, and chances of reoffending. Justice Greaves gave a hard deadline of July 3 for its submission and fixed that same day for the sentencing hearing.

The defendant, 26-year-old Javone Haynes from Syndicate Road, Bush Hall, previously admitted to the June 7, 2020 slaying of Kadeem Brathwaite, 28, who lived on Butler's Avenue, Spooner's Hill.

Krystal Delaney, serving as Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, is leading the prosecution, while defence lawyer Sade Harris speaks for Haynes.

Reported by Barbados Today

Source: Barbados Today