Mom tells court of grief over daughter’s murder

Samantha Bristol, her voice breaking at times, told the No. 4 Supreme Court that she thought about her murdered daughter, Samara, every day and continued to suffer nightmares, anxiety and severe depression following her death.

She was giving her victim impact statement in the sentencing hearing of her former boyfriend, Roger Delisle Sealy, who was convicted earlier this year of murdering Samara Bristol, 30, between November 16 and 21, 2021.

Taking the witness stand, Bristol said: “I think about Samara every day, my firstborn. I had so many plans for us. Not once, not even the smallest thought that evil lurked among us. I am still in shock. I cannot believe that we were betrayed in the most vicious way. Samara did not deserve this. Her daughter did not deserve this. My family and I did not deserve this. I would not wish this pain on anyone.”

Bristol recounted the toll her daughter’s death had taken on her, telling the court that nightmares prevented her from sleeping and that she suffered from headaches, anxiety, nervousness, severe depression and feelings of helplessness.

“What is justice? You still breathe. You have your family. You get to see another day. My Samara is gone,” she said, wiping tears from her eyes.

Bristol also read a letter from Samara’s 17-year-old daughter, who explained how difficult it was to navigate life without her mother’s guidance and comfort, “something no child should have to experience”.

Sealy, of Airy Cot, St Thomas, is represented by defence attorney Sian Lange, while Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Alliston Seale SC and State Counsel Paul Prescod are prosecuting the case.

Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell will hear lawyers’ sentencing submissions on November 3.

(JB)