The three young people who killed Barbados Defence Force (BDF) Private David Blenman over five years ago were on Tuesday punished for the crime.
Faith Angelica Pile and her partner Shaquan Sherwin Omar Crichlow were given 30-year starting sentences, while Faith’s brother Jamar Pile got a starting sentence of 33 years in prison.
The killers, all of Skeete’s Road, St Michael pleaded guilty to non-capital murder. The 26-year-old Blenman, of Golden Mile, Heywoods, St Peter lost his life between November 30 and December 1, 2016. His nude body was discovered at Foul Bay Beach, St Philip around 5:45 a.m. on December 1.
“This is a tragic case. It is tragic in that reason escaped all three of you on that night in question and this resulted in the death of a person who basically you all really hadn’t known.
“This man lost his life. It is a grave offence and as a result of that, society has to be protected from persons like yourself.
“People must be allowed to go about their normal lives regardless of whether they are doing bad, ill or good and you will bear that in mind. Whether it was that Mr Blenman wanted sex, was to pay for sex or whatever, that does not mean that he should have lost his life on December 1, 2016,” Justice Worrell stated during the virtual sitting of the No. 2 Supreme Court.
The judge told the convicts they were “all part and parcel” of the offence with Jamar Pile being more responsible than the other two.
“What transpired was an unwarranted attack on the deceased. The trauma he must have been exposed to is unconscionable. . .
“The talk of, cutting his throat, pelting him in a gully; going backward and forth to the ATM . . . to get money, tying him up, placing him in the trunk of the car and then drowning him – what an ordeal he must have gone through.
“I am wavering as to whether this was not premediated – that is the murder. Why would you go back for him after cleaning his bank account basically? Why would you then go back for him and speak of whatever you want to do to him? This court is not satisfied that that is really not premeditated.
“If it was not premeditated, it was spontaneous stupidity which resulted in the death of Mr Blenman. He could have been left in that vehicle, you didn’t have to drown him. You didn’t have to put him through the ordeal that he was put through.”
In sentencing Faith Pile and Crichlow, the judge said while they played their part in the offence it was not as “severe” as Jamar Pile’s role.
Based on the mitigating factors of the two as offenders, they were each given starting sentences of 30 years which the judge deemed as “adequate and appropriate”.
The starting point was pushed downwards by three years to 27 years because of the mitigating features pertaining to them including that Faith was 18 years old at the time and Crichlow, 19.
From that time they were credited with one-third discounts for the guilty pleas bringing the sentences to 18 years or 6570 days each.
The two have each spent 2,009 days on remand which were also deducted leaving 4 561 days left to serve.
Jamar Pile meanwhile was given a starting sentence of 33 years in jail as he played “the major role” in the unwarranted attack, the judge said.
“The last act taking him out of the vehicle and putting him into the sea, you Mr Pile . . . indicated you basically held him down until he wasn’t kicking any more. It is a serious offence, a callous offence.”
The judge then took into consideration Pile’s personal mitigating features but said he could not be considered as one with an unblemished record as he had ten prior convictions.
The 33-year sentence was then reduced by three years to 30 or 7 300 days. From that amount the 1447 days he spent on remand were deducted, leaving him with 5853 days left to serve.
All three killers have been ordered to enroll in vocational and educational courses while in prison based on their aptitude, ability and skills. “Specifically so because of what is written in your presentencing reports. It appears that all three of you did not benefit from the free secondary education which you were entitled to.”
The court expects prison reports on all three convicts at 18-month intervals on their progress and evaluation to assist with their rehabilitation.
“I just want to say once again, I apologise to the deceased man’s family. I want to show appreciation that although yes that I have done wrong sir I have learned. Sir, I have changed my ways and you will see progress sir,” said Jamar Pile who was represented by Queen’s Counsel Michael Lashley.
Faith Pile’s attorney was Angela Mitchell-Gittens and defence counsel Safiya Moore represented Crichlow.
The case was prosecuted by Senior State Prosecutor Neville Watson.
