Character witnesses speak on murderer’s behalf

A character witness for convicted murderer Haniyfa White made a fervent plea to the court to give her “a second chance”.

“I am praying that the judge would consider the holistic character of a person and understand that in this island Barbados, we have some very vicious people that would provoke you to all levels and make the kindest angel snap,” said character witness Stephen Millington, before urging: “Please give Haniyfa a second chance.”

Earlier this year, a jury convicted White of Sion Hill, St James of murdering Julene Bryan on May 14, 2007.

Millington told the No. 5 Supreme Court that he had known White for over 20 years, having met her when she worked at a jewellery store, and described her as “encouraging and supportive”.

He continued: “It was not easy hearing the offence because the Haniyfa I know is very considerate and warm. I reconciled it because in life there are people who like to aggravate and provoke and I remember sometimes I would escort her to the bus stand, and I would hear the stories: ‘Steve, these people are throwing rocks on my house’ or ‘Steve, people are doing this and doing that’, and I never thought in a million years something like this would happen, because she is a very taking, understanding and warm person…. She is a people person, and this hurt me.”

David Kid Site Piggott also stated that he knew White for over two decades, saying she was “a genuinely nice person”.

“I realised that she was intimidated all her life, so she was highly sensitive and suspicious of people,” he said, adding he had been surprised and felt sorry for White at hearing that she had been charged with murder, as this was the “complete opposite” of her “soft” character.

“She is dedicated, responsible, passionate. Remember this was a woman who was a top sales person… who was very excellent at customer service,” he said.

Also speaking on White’s behalf was Jennifer Walker, who stated that they met over five years ago at the gym and that their conversations were always around self-improvement and Christianity.

“I found her to be a person who wanted to move on and learn from mistakes,” Walker said, adding that she admired White’s growth and maturity over the years.

Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Krystal Delaney is prosecuting the case while defence counsel Safiya Moore represents White.

Justice Pamela Beckles set sentencing for December 16.