Man jailed — two years for Maloney killing

JUSTICE Pamela Elder yesterday sentenced a Maloney man to two years in prison with  hard labour for manslaughter after noting that he had shown “true remorse” for the offence.

Jason Hamlet pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Keiron Gill at an apartment in Marian Crescent, Maloney, on May 20, 2000. Gill, also of Maloney, died as a result of two stab wounds to the chest.
State prosecutor Kathy-Ann Waterman presented evidence that Hamlet was talking to a friend at the apartment, when Gill, with whom Hamlet had an argument a year before, approached. Gill had two bottles in his hand and proceeded to throw them at Hamlet. One of the bottles hit Hamlet and the other missed. Gill held on to Hamlet, who had a knife. Hamlet stabbed him twice. Onlookers intervened and hit Hamlet and took away his knife. Hamlet then ran to the Maloney Police Station and made a report. Justice Elder told Hamlet his immediate confession to the police provided the most powerful evidence of his remorse.

“True remorse or contrition is a powerful mitigating factor ... you never sought to distance yourself from your statement,” she said, adding that his confession was “a commendable act of frankness for one as young as yourself.” Hamlet was 19 years old at the time. Elder also took into account that Hamlet had no previous convictions and this was his first brush with the law. She added that the court was not of the view that he posed any threat to the public so the aim of protection of society is irrelevant in this case. Defence counsel, Joan Charles, said Hamlet is the father of a three-year-old girl and intended to pursue a career in Computer and Management Studies. She said in the three years Hamlet had spent in prison he had already started to pursue studies in those fields and had began teaching others. Elder said a message had to be sent that violence cannot be tolerated. However, she said a long custodial sentence was not necessary and sentenced Hamlet to a term of imprisonment to begin immediately.