William Benjamin’s sentencing hearing begins
Father speaks on his behalf

 
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE sentencing hearing of murder-convicted William Benjamin began today (Jan. 14) with his father pleading with the court to have mercy on him.

William, who was convicted of the murder of his sister-in-law, Michelle Weekes-Benjamin, was taken before the Basseterre High Court of Justice this morning for the commencement of his sentencing hearing which was presided over by His Lordship Justice Francis Belle.

William’s father, Pastor Leroy Benjamin Sr. addressed the court on behalf of his son and said his appearance before the court was a difficult one, given the circumstances under which he was there. He recalled his efforts made as a parent in steering his children, of whom William is the last, in the right direction.

Benjamin said he tried his utmost to give his children the best they could possibly have “in terms of moral and spiritual guidance and in meeting their needs”. William, as his father explained, was born some nine years after the child he followed, which gave him the advantage of having older siblings to give him the love and support any child would need.

Benjamin said, with regard to conflict resolution, he taught William to refrain from retaliation if and when he should be confronted by anyone. Rather, Pastor Benjamin continued, William was to make reports to his parents or persons in authority, actions which he said he did.

Pastor Benjamin said William became frustrated because of the position in which he was placed, and noted he still insisted that his son report all instances to his superiors rather than taking matters into his own hands.

William was described by his father as a very respectful individual who has expressed his regret and remorse over what had transpired, culminating in him killing Michelle.  ~~Adz:Right~~

“...‘Daddy, I didn’t really went to kill Michelle...it happened so quickly that I myself was surprised she had died.’ He also said he was very sorry that his bigger brother had to suffer as a result of what had happened.”

William’s lawyer, Reginald W. James, told the court he was served a notice informing that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was requesting the death penalty and that he had asked Pastor Benjamin what he would tell the court regarding why his son should not be sentenced to death.

In response, he said, although the law views anyone who attains the age of 18 as an adult, there are times when those individuals don’t act that way. He further explained that in William’s case, “Having seen someone spit in his food really evoked a special kind of emotion that was uncontrollable...”

Pastor Benjamin asked the court to consider that William’s “irrational” behaviour “could have been considered as youthful inexperience”.

While Pastor Benjamin was under cross-examination, William’s alleged involvement in a similar incident was brought to the fore. The DPP asked if he took any measure to address the issue and he said he did all he could, including counselling, to steer his son in the right direction.   

Justice Belle informed that the psychiatric report, which was ordered by the court upon William’s conviction, had not yet been submitted due to the psychiatrist’s absence from the island. 

He gave an approximate month for the compilation and submission of the report and informed that the sentencing hearing will continue on February 12, 2009.

William was convicted of smothering his brother’s wife to death. The incident transpired sometime between October 29 and 30, 2006 at the home which the three shared. According to evidence in the case, having committed the deed to which he admitted, William sought assistance in the disposal of the body.

Michelle’s remains were discovered within the incomplete septic tank of a building at Rosemary Lane which was then under construction. 

William, his brother Leroy Benjamin Jr., who is also Michelle’s husband; Khoy ‘Red Rat’ Jeffers; and Shervin ‘Squeaky’ George were jointly charged with Michelle’s murder, but after nolle prosequi applications were filed on Benjamin Jr.’s and Jeffers’ behalf, the charges against them were dropped.

George’s charged was reduced to “accessory to murder after the fact” of which he was convicted.