A man found guilty of a Christmas Eve murder will spend at least the next three decades behind bars for it.
This morning, Justice Nigel Pilgrim sentenced 31-year-old Shaquille Perrera to life imprisonment for Darnell Puerto's murder, with the possibility of parole only after serving 30 years. He also imposed a 17-year sentence for the attempted murder of Jehvon Ramclam, ordering that both sentences run concurrently and be backdated to December 28, 2023, when Perrera was first remanded to prison.
In delivering sentence, Justice Pilgrim noted that the murder was committed in public view, requiring the court to consider the public interest, the need for deterrence, and the country's ongoing struggle with violent crime.
Justice Pilgrim described the offence as particularly grave, noting that Perrera invaded the Ramclam family's home during a Christmas gathering armed with an illegal firearm. The judge said the sanctity of the family's home was violated by an act of violence that left one man dead and another seriously wounded.
He also highlighted the planning involved in the attack and stressed that the courts must send a clear message that firearm offences will attract severe consequences.
The court also considered victim impact statements. Ramclam told the court he continues to suffer chronic pain after being shot four times, has difficulty performing physical work, endures sleepless nights, and lives in fear of being targeted again. The mother of the Ramclam family also described the devastating impact Puerto's death had on her family, explaining that she regarded him as one of her own sons.
Justice Pilgrim initially assessed the sentence at the equivalent of 32 years because of the numerous aggravating factors, including Perrera's previous convictions for robbery and a firearm offence. However, he reduced that period after considering mitigating factors, including Perrera's good conduct while on remand and testimony from his mother and sister describing his upbringing and character.
Ramclam and Puerto were socializing outside his Maskall Street home on Christmas Eve when Perrera opened fire. He told the court he saw the gunman's face clearly for up to 30 seconds under a nearby streetlight and immediately recognized Perrera, whom he had seen months earlier and whom he also linked to the shooting of his brother.
Perrera was represented by attorney Joanna Zuniga-Stewart, while the Crown's case was prosecuted by Crown Counsel Kirk Brown from the Office of the DPP.
