Bush Hall killer gets life term over 2020 gun slaying of companion
A St Michael resident who admitted to murdering an acquaintance in 2020 will remain incarcerated for life, with no chance of parole consideration before 17½ years.
Bush Hall killer gets life term over 2020 gun slaying of companion
A resident of Syndicate Road, Bush Hall, St Michael who confessed to killing an associate in 2020 has received a life sentence, with the earliest possible parole review set at 17 and a half years.
On June 7, 2020, Javonne Rommel Haynes shot Kadeem Brathwaite during an altercation on Reece Road in the same neighbourhood. The fatal encounter unfolded after Brathwaite confronted Haynes in front of several onlookers, frisked him, and accused him of plotting an attack. Testimony showed Brathwaite then clung to Haynes's clothing and delivered multiple blows to the side of his head.
According to witness statements read during proceedings in No. 3 Supreme Court, the pair became entangled in a fight beside a shop entrance. At one point, Haynes shouted for an armed companion to open fire. That individual aimed at Brathwaite's head, but Haynes wrenched the weapon away. Brathwaite broke free and sprinted toward Pioneer Road; Haynes chased after him, weapon in hand. Bystanders heard a single blast, then several more moments later.
A post-mortem revealed a projectile had entered and exited the victim's lower back. The cause of death was determined to be internal bleeding and shock resulting from abdominal trauma caused by gunfire.
One observer recalled Haynes declaring afterward that the victim had disrespected him and that such behaviour would not be tolerated in the area.
Presiding judge Carlisle Greaves initially calculated a 35-year tariff, then increased it to 40 years due to the severity of the attack — specifically, the pursuit of a fleeing man, the shot to his back, and additional rounds fired while he lay on the ground. However, Greaves reduced the figure by five years, acknowledging that Brathwaite's conduct had been extraordinarily inflammatory. The judge described the public search and beating as deeply demeaning, suggesting the level of aggravation might have supported a manslaughter conviction instead.
Haynes received further reductions: one-third off for entering a guilty plea, plus credit for approximately six years already spent in pre-trial custody. Before sentencing, he expressed remorse to the Brathwaite family and reminded the court that he had voluntarily come forward to law enforcement.
Greaves used the occasion to denounce the persistent use of illegal firearms in local homicides, warning that offenders should anticipate lengthy incarceration. He compared carrying a weapon to consuming alcohol for courage, telling the defendant that had he not been armed, his friend would still be alive.
Krystal Delaney, acting in the role of Director of Public Prosecutions, prosecuted the matter. Sade Harris appeared for the defence.
Source: Barbados Today
Source: Barbados Today