By Latrishka Thomas
Yesterday, Justice Stanley John decided that a 40-year prison sentence was the appropriate punishment for Dorian Marshall, who was convicted of the 2017 murder of Xavier Thomas.
More than two years after the homicide, Marshall was convicted for the shooting death of Thomas who was 20 years old at the time of her death.
And on Tuesday, Justice John began his sentence at 45 years despite stating his belief that the offence warranted 60 years behind bars.
The judge took into consideration the relatively young age of the defendant and the fact that the Donavans man is a father of six.
The sentence was therefore reduced to 40 years, however, after 20 years, 39-year-old Marshall’s sentence will be reviewed.
The tragic incident occurred on August 18, 2017 when occupants of a silver or grey Toyota Allion motor car drove up to a shop in Cedar Grove, pointed guns through the passenger windows and opened fire.
The victims of the shooting were Thomas, 49-year-old Lorne “T I” Nicholas, and 32-year-old Shane “Trooper” Matthew, all of Cedar Grove.
Thomas was shot in her left leg and abdomen and was transported to the Mount St John’s Medical Centre where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Nicholas and Matthew were shot in the thigh and leg, respectively, and were treated and discharged from the hospital.
The fate of Marshall’s two co-accused, Jason Millette and Shalom Bailey, is yet to be determined as in late November, the jury of 13 persons who convicted Marshall were unable to reach the required unanimity in the case against them.