Grand Court Judge, Charles Quin, found 28 year old Raziel Jeffers guilty last Thursday of murder (23), attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm. He was sentenced to life in prison in connection with a triple shooting that caused the death of Marcus Ebanks, left a 14-year-old boy paralysed and wounded another young man.

On 8th July 2009 in a yard near a boys home on Bonaventure Road, West Bay, Marcus Ebanks was found shot dead, and two others, including the 14 year old Adryan Powell, seriously injured.

Justice Quin said he was satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt the defendant was the lead gunman in a joint task that resulted in the murder of Marcus Ebanks. He says he accepts the crown’s position that on all the evidence before him, Mr. Jeffers had the “motive, means and opportunity to commit all these crimes.”

Justice Quin also said when the identification, confession, GSR and telephone movement on that day are all taken together, they are “very condemning to the defendant.”

A key witness testified that Jeffers had said that he had intended to kill Jose Sanchez but Mr. Ebanks had been killed by mistake. Jeffers confessed because he felt very bad about killing Mr. Ebanks.

Another witness had testified that she had seen Jeffers with a number of guns and he had shown her an AK-47 assault rifle.

Adryan Powell also testified that he had recognised Jeffers when one of the shirts covering his face had come off revealing his face. Justice Quin said this was an accurate description despite the circumstances, adding that the young man had seen Jeffers only days before and was familiar with him. Other damning evidence found in Jeffers pocket was gunshot residue on a packet of Rizzlas.

The prosecution had claimed Jeffers and another man went to the address to kill Jose Sanchez. When they saw Mr. Sanchez, and others sitting around in the yard, they both opened fire but killed the wrong man and wounded the two others.

We understand the father of Raziel Jeffers is planning to appeal the verdict. Immediately after the verdict was announced the RCIPS’s Senior Investigating officer in the case issued a statement to the press:

“The first comment I wish to make is to highlight the bravery and courage of the crown’s two main witnesses. For them to come forward to the police and before the court and give their evidence demonstrates the courage that is needed from every single member of the Cayman community if we are ever to rid this country of serious crime and this scourge of gang violence.

“Although Kara will never see her son Marcus Ebanks again in this life, or Tammie see her 15 year old son Adryan walk again, this at least brings some closure in the sense of Justice served to the parents of the victims. This is all they had ever asked! Adryan will perhaps never walk again as a result of the brutality involved here. Here was a 14 year old boy in the prime of his life ready to face life and struck down in a hail of bullets just because he happened to be hanging out next door talking to his neighbours and friends at the wrong time.

“The two year old son of Marcus Ebanks whose partner was pregnant at the time of the incident will never know his dad.

“This verdict reflects the entirety of the evidence which was gathered by the police after a long and methodical investigation.

Every officer on this case contributed to the success of this investigation.

“Finally, the prosecution team was first class using all available evidence at its disposal.”