Soldier gets 12 years for manslaughter

By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

Defence Force Private Louis Richards

Richards was charged with the murder of fellow Old Road resident Clyde Williams but was convicted of manslaughter.

In continuation of the sentencing hearing which began last Thursday (Dec. 11), Richards’ defence counsel Jason Hamilton presented his plea in mitigation.

Making reference to Richards’ Social Inquiry Report, Hamilton said he was always one who sought to occupy himself positively through gainful employment which includes his enlistment in the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF). He said while in the SKNDF, and even in his youthful days, Richards proved to be a dedicated, committed and hard-working individual who approached his duties to national service with seriousness.

Hamilton said Richards’ serious and dedicated approach to his duties may be a direct result of the threats that were made on his life prior to the incident for which he was tried.  This, he said, should be to his benefit.

During his early years, as his lawyer explained, Richards was enrolled in the Boys Brigade and recognising the role that institution played in the shaping and molding of his life, he has enrolled his son in the said institution.

Hamilton told the court that Richards has expressed remorse for the way the situation unfolded on that night. He further explained that while the loss of life is tragic, Richards could have very well been severely injured or even killed.

He stressed that it is easy to say Richards reacted irresponsibly, but asked the court to take all underlying circumstances into account when passing sentence. He said these circumstances include the fact that his life was threatened on several occasions before the incident occurred. ~~Adz:Right~~

He reminded that Richards’ life was threatened because he was dedicated to the execution of his duties of national service. Hamilton also explained that Richards should receive commendation for this and the attack which was launched against him on that night should be “abhorred”.

Referring to a report issued by Her Majesty’s Prison concerning Richards, Hamilton noted his behaviour is impeccable, which is indicative of the lifestyle he lived.

Hamilton besought the court to exercise some mercy and leniency in passing sentence on the soldier and consider all circumstances.

The convicted man also asked the court to exercise leniency in sentencing him.

Trial and sentencing judge, Justice Francis Belle said with all circumstances taken into consideration, sentence would be passed with some degree of leniency.

He said while life imprisonment is not deserved in this situation, a strong message must be sent to all and sundry that absolutely no one is above the law. He said adamantly, not even the Prime Minister himself is above the law.

Making reference to the case, Justice Belle said the evidence showed that Richards shot at an unarmed man and killed another in the process. Further, in accordance with the evidence, he said after being shot a number of persons endeavoured to calm him down but he persisted and discharged a round from him firearm. 

Justice Belle said by acting the way he did, Richards became judge, jury and executioner in his own case and sent an innocent man to his grave.

Taking into account the mitigating plea, circumstances surrounding the incident and other related factors, Justice Belle sentenced the soldier to a 12-year prison term. This is in addition to the approximate one year and three months he spent in prison on remand.

According to evidence in the case, on the night of August 3, 2007, Richards was shot while at the Lovers’ Bar in Old Road. Sometime later, he returned fire and struck Addren ‘Ado’ Searles in his arm and he also shot Clyde Williams who succumbed to his injuries.

Sometime after, Richards, in the company of fellow Strike Force operatives, walked to the eastern end of Old Road where he saw Jevon ‘Herbie’ Woodley, whom he said was motioning so as to remove a weapon from his waist. At that point Richards shot Woodley once and, as he tried to flee, the soldier shot him two more times.

Under oath, Richards told the court Searles and Woodley were two of the three persons he saw shooting at him during the first phase of the incident.

A jury could not decide on Richard’s innocence or guilt relative to Searles and Woodley and a separate case will be heard.