Blackman guilty of murder, remanded to Dodds

There was no visible reaction on Shakira Blackman’s face as an 11-member jury found her guilty of murdering Shanice Miller almost four years ago.

It took the jurors in the No. 4 Supreme Court just over two hours to reach the unanimous verdict, convicting the Park Road, Bush Hall, St Michael resident of killing Miller, formerly of Kensington New Road, of the same parish, on November 28, 2021.

King’s Counsel Andrew Pilgrim, who represented Blackman, along with defence counsel Martie Garnes, requested pre-sentence and psychological reports for their client.

Justice Laurie-Anne Smith-Bovell remanded the convicted woman into custody and adjourned the matter until October 24.

Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Alliston Seale SC and State Counsel Maya Kellman had presented the State’s case that Miller had been walking along the upper section of James Street in The City when she encountered Blackman and there was an altercation, during which Miller was fatally stabbed.

During the three-week-long trial, the jury heard evidence from several police and civilian witnesses and Blackman, who made an unsworn statement from the dock.