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Two admit to manslaughter
Published on: 10/13/2009.
A HOMOSEXUAL TRYST that turned into robbery and ended in death went before the No. 2 Supreme Court yesterday.
Kevin Roland Codrington, 26, and Richard Leon Hurley, 32, both of Haynesville, St James, denied murdering former teacher Ezra DaCosta Rochester but admitted unlawfully killing him - manslaughter - sometime between February 9 and 15, 2006.
Codrington has convictions for cannabis and two for uttering forged cheques, while Hurley has convictions for unlawfully killing Ade Sobers, for which he received probation in 1995; two for having cannabis and one for loitering.
Attorneys Verla DePeiza, representing Codrington and Desmond Sands, who appeared for Hurley, requested pre-sentencing reports and their requests were granted by Justice Jacqueline Cornelius, who adjourned sentencing until December 15.
Crown Counsel Lancelot Applewhaite told the court that on February 10, 2006, Rochester's mother reported to Holetown Police Station that her son was missing since she had not seen him since February 7.
Police traced his last movements and found that he left home on February 9, dropped a friend to work in Gall Hill, and called his brother to make arrangements to collect a sister.
He never made it to his sister.
The last time someone saw Rochester was between 9:45 and 10 a.m. that day when he was driving along Oxnards, St James, and shouted out to a friend.
At that time, Codrington was in the front passenger seat.
The prosecutor continued that Hurley drove his car to a an area specified by Codrington, parked, and waited.
Rochester and Codrington arrived, and Codrington and Hurley set upon Rochester, attacking him with a knife, a piece of pipe and a rock. They hid the teacher's body in some bushes and covered it with a bag.
Hurley switched licence plates on Rochester's car and Codrington drove it away.
They drove to Bank Hall, St Michael, where someone swiped the keys to Rochester's car.
On February 15 police caught up with Codrington, who was wearing Rochester's belt.
It was Hurley who took police to where they had hidden Rochester's body.
A pathologist determined that the teacher died from stab wounds to the chest and head, along with severe traumatic pressure to the head.
Both men elected to write their own statements.
Codrington wrote that he made arrangements with Rochester who collected him and took him to a cart road in St Thomas.
Rochester took off his clothes and said he wanted to have sex with him.
"He asked me if I wanted money and I said yes," the prosecutor read. "He was touching me. He put on a condom and while we were in the car Richard appeared at the driver's side with a knife," the prosecutor continued.
Codrington's statement said Hurley stabbed Rochester, dragged him out of the car, and started beating him.
Hurley's statement said he was parked and waiting in the spot outlined by Codrington.
He saw Codrington and Rochester in the front seats.
"Quickly after that I saw his friend on top of him. Quickly after I saw his friend get out naked and bleeding," Hurley wrote, adding Codrington got out with a knife and a rock.
Hurley's statement continued that he saw a piece of pipe, which he took up and hit Rochester on the hand. He took up a knife off the ground and slashed twice at Rochester.
27 comment found!
Bad Seed : 10/17/2009
How on earth did Hurley get probation for the killing of another man in 1995???
Comdolences and Justice : 10/17/2009
My condolences and heart felt sympathy goes out to the Ezra family. He was above all a human being and all else is secondary. All life is sacred. As to the perpetrators of this brutal and sadistic crime, they will face the Creator, the ultimate judge in time, and it is my hope that he dispenses the right measure of justice.
No slap on the wrist this time : 10/17/2009
This is pre-meditated felony murder and as Cain was banished from his society for the good of the society these two should likewise be banished by the hangman's noose. How many more does this one fellow have to kill before he is executed-1996, 2006 when next????
non-justice : 10/16/2009
These guys should be tried for first-degree murder and face the full penalty.They obviously went out to kill the man.They can`t say nothing about him being a homo,because they were prepared to engage him in that act.They murdered this man and they should pay the full price.
Friends Set-up : 10/15/2009
Who can be trusted today? People laugh with you and have plans to do you harm. Rochester took off his clothes, a man submits, another joined in and killed Rochester. Well, this sounds very crazy! We are killed all the day long! Pro-Kray
Rochester : 10/15/2009
My condolences to the mother and family of this unfortunate man. His sexuality is not of great importance to right-thinking people. Thses culprits should not be released from prison until they are very old men. I do not believe in the death penalty, but they must be punished for taking this man,s life (and one of them a repeat murderer too).
UGLY & DIRTY : 10/14/2009
To the person who said that it is ugly and dirty and to think that people like that teach our children...well, there are thieves, druggies, fornicators and adulterers who teach our children, and who write nonsense in forums like these...go figure.
Two admit to manslaughter : 10/14/2009
We do not have the facts. Maybe there is evidence that would suggest that the accused were attacked and a struggle ensued. Instead of delivering a self defense blow and run for help, they stayed and beat the poor man to death. Manslaughter charges are brought when it is determine that the conduct of the deceased was grossly inappropriate and some how contributed to the event. Either that are the Prosecutor had no evidence and struck a plea deal with them to use their story/admission in exchange for a lesser charge of Manslaugter just so the case can be closed quickly without a lengthy trail and investigation which can be costly. Previous convictions have nothing to do with the facts surrounding the current case or how an individual is charged(innocent until proven guilty). Previous convictions however weigh heavily on sentencing guidlines.
Rest in Peace Ezra : 10/13/2009
To the mother of Ezra, I am moved by your loss. Your son was a warm and loving human. I have known Ezra for the past 28 years, and I have NEVER found him to be anything other than a gentleman. The very manner in which he loss his life was brutal, inhumane and most of all, murderous. This is certainly deserving of the death penalty. However, God shall judge......
Justice for All : 10/13/2009
A life is valuable be it heterosexuals or homosexuals and murder was committed by two previous offenders. Apparently this was premediated murder. And since they are repeated offenders they should be hang. This is some mother's son, that these murders have taken his life, the mother probably still grieving the lost of her son. So stop being so self-righteous people; and stop your friends and relatives and drug dealers from molesting the children don't you know lot of these homosexuals was not born that way, but were made so, by the sexual interference of the adults. God will have mercy on whom he will. I hope Justice Jacqueline Cornelius sentences these two guys to life in solitary without parole.
: 10/13/2009
Homosexuality.... It is ugly, it is dirty and it is disgusting... And to think that these people teach our children.... Am I sorry that one less of them is in front of our young people?
this is sad. : 10/13/2009
it sounds like they wanted to be with the man, so put them in jail. they had no right to harm him or to take his life. one of them has already killed somebody else...let them go to Dodd's where there are plenty men who will collect them for free.
: 10/13/2009
horrible, disgusting, i want to throw up.
Hate Crime : 10/13/2009
I wonder if these men would have been allowed to plead to a lesser offence had it not involved homosexual activity.
Two admit to manslaughter : 10/13/2009
Barbados still has a very long way to go. We need a significant cultural shift. What are the mitigating circumstances? The circumstances seem a bit similar to the Earlyn Garnes case in 1991. SEE SECTION 16 Chief Justice ruling August 10, 2005 [16] I remind myself that the convictions in the instant case were for murder and not manslaughter and that the prisoners pleaded not guilty but were found guilty of murder by the jury. Nevertheless, having regard to their ages at the time of the offence, their degree of participation in the murder, the conduct of the deceased, and the principle of individualised sentencing, I am of opinion that the punitive element (i.e. the tariff) should have been fixed at 18 years. That ought to have been the target date when these prisoners were sentenced in 1992. None was fixed and their sentences were not reviewed during the past 13 years. I am also conscious that they have been in prison for a total of 14 years and have not benefited from a discount on their sentences for good behaviour (i.e. 3 months for every year).
two admit to manslaughter : 10/13/2009
very strange. what is happening to barbados' criminal justice system ? yoruba bajan,brooklyn,ny
: 10/13/2009
hUH????????????????????Will someone please tell me..... What is MURDER?
: 10/13/2009
Bajan yankee, that is not true, maybe there are now following the Great USA
Manslaughter? : 10/13/2009
I knows nothing about law profession but how can these repeated offenders be found guilty of manslaughter? What was reported here, these two plan this act and carried it out.They should have been charge with 1st. degree murder. I now understand why these criminals do not fear the law courts in Barbados. Not long ago, a man entered a man`s home, attacked his wife, injured her and try to rape her and will only do 5 yrs. What`s wrong with the people that prepare these charges? I will not say any more, because it may not be printed.
All sin is sin... : 10/13/2009
Wow! Homosexuality is sin and so is murder...the latter appears worst because it is a life lost. I hope that neither of these men have/had a female partner who was faithful to them. Women and men please be careful! *Shaking My Head*
Two admit to manslaughter : 10/13/2009
Only in Barbados are you allowed to commit murder twice and get away with it.
: 10/13/2009
After receiving probation for killing a man, you get charged for murder, and can now plead guilty to manslaughter. Something must be wrong at the DPP'S department. Or am I dumb? DUMB.
laugh or cry? : 10/13/2009
this would be funny if not for the loss of life. the reporting also leaves a lot to be desired. this is an online publication so you have to assume that the majority of the readers are not living in Barbados yet there was no mention of the charges these men are facing but a complete history of their prior convictions which have nothing to do with the case in question. It sounds like they are facing manslaughter charges which is ridiculous since this was obviously a premeditated assualt that resulted in loss of life. not only was this murder it was premeditated which makes it 1st degree and punishable by death penalty.
Two admits to manslaughter : 10/13/2009
I spent fifteen years at the CID in Barbados as an Investigator. I am appalled at what I am seeing here. This is a case of murder straight-up. How come the Government is watering down these serious cases and being so lienient on these visious criminals. These accused should be charged with murder, convicted and sentenced to death. What message are you sending to criminals???? How can you explain this action to the mother of this man. Reguardless of his sexual preferences, no one have the right to murder him this way. Life in this Island has surely changed, where murderers are now allowed to pick the charges they want to plea to. Mya God help you all. Good Luck to all you law-abiding persons. I am shocked!!!
TWO ADMIT : 10/13/2009
LOST FOR WORDS....RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!
: 10/13/2009
Hang em high!
DISTURBING : 10/13/2009
What a horrid way to die.
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