PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago – A woman in Trinidad and Tobago has been sentenced by a High Court judge for her part in the death of a Gasparillo pensioner in 2012. Along with her, two men who were involved in the plan were also sentenced on January 10, by Justice Hayden St-Clair Douglas.
The trio pleaded guilty to killing Andre Joachim, 69, at his home at Springland, Gasparillo back in July 25, 2023. Despite receiving deductions for their guilty pleas, the three were handed down their sentences, with the woman left to serve six years, three months and ten days, and the two men receiving shorter sentence lengths.
The court recognized the woman’s attempts to assist Joachim and her cooperation with the police after his death as well as her efforts at self-improvement. However, the judge took into account her 17 prison infractions and stated that prisoners need to understand that their conduct while incarcerated will be considered in their sentencing.
According to the agreed facts, the plan to rob Joachim was premeditated and resulted in fatal consequences. After carrying out the plan, the three reportedly took off their clothing, spent 20 minutes together, and during that time, it was alleged that two of the men entered the bedroom and ultimately took the victim’s life.
The sentences the three received will run from the date they pleaded guilty and will be served with hard labor. The State was represented by Rhea Libert while the three were represented by lawyers from the Public Defenders Department.