Three convicted killers to be resentenced after CCJ ruling

Three men previously sentenced to death for murder are to be resentenced in the No. 5 Supreme Court, following a landmark ruling that struck down Barbados’ mandatory death penalty.

Carlos Arthur Licorish, Robert Ryan Clarke and David Anthony Oliver appeared before Justice Pamela Beckles after their sentences were vacated in the wake of the Caribbean Court of Justice’s 2018 declaration that the mandatory death penalty in Barbados was unconstitutional.

Attorney Stephen Lashley, who represents all three inmates, told the court that no behavioural, psychological or psychiatric reports were yet available for Licorish, and that similar reports now had to be ordered for Clarke and Oliver.

Justice Beckles adjourned Licorish’s case until June 18. Ordering reports for Clarke and Oliver, she instructed them to return on July 29.

Clarke was found guilty of murdering 18-year-old Serrean Griffith on December 1, 1990, and Licorish was convicted of the November 9, 1990, murder of Violet Elise Clarke.

Oliver was convicted alongside the now deceased Winston Hall for the 1984 killing of 74-year-old plantation manager Cyril Sisnett.

State Counsel Maya Kellman appeared for the State.

(JB)