Murder sentence cut as Appeal Court says extra jail time ‘without justification’
Article by May 29, 2021
The 30-year jail sentence handed down to a man convicted of double manslaughter in a Salters home invasion a decade ago was Friday reduced by the Court of Appeal.
The original trial judge, Justice Jacqueline Cornelius, had set the starting point for Deon Dacosta Maynard’s sentence to 25 years and then increased it to 30 years. But the appeal court justices set a starting point of 25 years less five years and 97 days – leaving his sentence now at 19 years 268 days.
Justices of Appeal Rajendra Narine, Jefferson Cumberbatch and Francis Belle said they arrived at a unanimous decision after reviewing the grounds of appeal over the management of the jury by the trial judge, incorrect directions in law by the judge and the sentence itself.