ROBERT TAYLOR SENTENCED

Twenty seven year cell phone salesman Robert Taylor who was charged with murder but was convicted of manslaughter last week, was sentenced to 15 years today by Justice Adolph Lucas. The sentence, stipulated Justice Lucas, should take effect from July 15, 2010 when the trial started. Before he decided on the sentence Justice Lucas heard pleas for mitigation from Taylor, his attorney Phillip Palacio, his employer Gilroy Usher, and Usher's daughter, Monica. Taylor said he was sorry for what happened and he apologized to the family of the deceased, Leslie "Footie" Gentle. Palacio asked Justice Lucas to take into consideration that Taylor is the father of two children, that he expressed remorse, the circumstances under which the incident occurred and that he was in prison since July 2008. Usher said he had no problems with Taylor when Taylor worked for him and he taught Taylor in Primary School. Monica said Taylor was not a person quick to anger and he was like a member of their family. The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on July 30, 2008, in front a tacos stand on Cemetery Road near to Pound Yard Bridge. According to the evidence, Taylor was badly beaten by Leslie and Taylor left, saying he would return. Taylor came back shortly afterwards and stabbed Gentle 10 times during a struggle. Senior Crown Councel Yohhanhoseh Cane represented the prosecution.