Justice Carlisle Greaves once again slammed the delays in the judicial system as he dealt with a 12-year-old case before him.
“I believe strongly that every firearm case should be given priority. And once the alleged offender is caught, I see no reason, given the type of investigators that we have, why they should not be tried within a year,” the judge said yesterday as he imposed starting sentences of 21 years on John Seymour Ricardo Griffith for three offences, including use of a firearm.
Griffith, of 3rd Avenue, Dash Gap, Bank Hall, St Michael, was back in the No. 3 Supreme Court for sentencing after he had pleaded guilty to robbing Steve Yearwood of a bracelet, gold chain, a bangle and cell phone; wounding Yearwood with intent and using a firearm, all on December 1, 2010.
“I am sorry for my foolish actions in my past and I ask you for leniency,” Griffith said.
He has nine previous convictions – two each for possession of cannabis and possession of ammunition, and one each for wasteful employment of police time, robbery, theft, burglary and possession of a firearm. (HLE)
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