The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

PHYSICAL abuse and “a big insurance” were the reasons a woman ordered a hit on her husband, a man suspected of murder allegedly told police while in custody.

Sergeant 527 Basil Evans told a Supreme Court jury yesterday that he’d questioned Janaldo Farrington at the Central Detective Unit on February 24, 2012, concerning his alleged involvement in Stephen Sherman’s death.

The homicide detective claimed that Farrington told him that he gave the man instructions and when Sherman got on his knees, he shot him in the back of the head before running back to a waiting vehicle and driving off.

Farrington, 22, of Pinewood Gardens is standing trial with his cousin, 22-year-old Cordero Bethel of Pinewood Gardens, and 44-year-old Renee Sherman of Yamacraw Shore in connection with the February 17, 2012 murder of Stephen Sherman.

The three are charged with conspiring to commit murder while the widow is alone charged with aiding and abetting the murder of her husband.

Mr Sherman, an assistant manager at the Royal Bank of Canada in Palmdale, was shot in the head when he pulled up to his Yamacraw Shores home that evening.  He was robbed of his cell phone before being shot. His niece was also robbed.

Farrington and Bethel are together charged with his murder and the two armed robberies.

All three have denied the charges they face.

In yesterday’s proceedings, Sgt Evans told prosecutor Sandradee Gardiner that Farrington confessed to the murder of his own free will and that he was never threatened, brutalised, offered or promised any incentives for a statement that he elected to give.

The detective further claimed that before starting to record the interview, Farrington was informed of his constitutional rights and his right to consult his lawyer.

Farrington said he had no lawyer, the officer told the jury.

The officer said he asked the suspect a series of questions when he “admittted to causing the death of Stephen Sherman along with others.”

As for the statement, prosecutor Gardiner asked the court’s permission for the statement to be read into evidence.

Justice Roy Jones gave consent to the request.

In the alleged statement, Farrington begins the story at February 15, 2012 when he was contacted by a man known as “Timer” who gave him certain information.

“A woman wanted her husband dead because he used to beat her and he had a big insurance.”

“He said that we would be paid well for the job. ‘Timer’ left the area in a white Ford jeep after that. The next day, which was Thursday evening, ‘Timer’ passed by where I was hanging and told me to be ready.”

“That Friday morning, ‘Timer’ picked me up from home on Breadfruit Street and told me that he was going to show me the house so I could deal with it.”

“‘Timer’ drove out Yamacraw and point out one big yellow two-story house and said that it was the house.”

“‘Timer’ dropped me back home and then he gave me a silver 9mm handgun. He then drive off in his white jeep.”

The statement went onto say that Farrington saw his cousin Cordero Bethell who was with two men.

“They was rolling in a grey Honda Accord that looked ‘hot’. I told Cordero what the plan was and I asked him for a ride. He told me that he would do it and so I jump in the car with Cordero them.”

A short time later, he was contacted by “Timer” from a 636-6979  cell number, who informed him that the woman who wanted the job done had sent her husband out.

“We drive out east and I directed Cordero where to go because he was driving and I was in the front seat. The next two boys was in the back seat.”

“We drove past the big yellow house out Yamacraw and then Cordero park up on the corner. It was dark when ‘Timer’ call back on Cordero’s cellphone and said the man was on the way.”

“When the white jeep passed the car, we began to follow it until it park up by the big yellow house. I jumped out the car with a towel covering part of my face.”

“There was a man in front of the jeep and a young woman walking towards the door. I then told them it was a robbery and pointed the gun at them and make them walk to the side of the house.”

“The man and woman got on their knees with their hands in the air. The man throw out about $41 out of his pocket and threw it behind him. I picked up the money and then I shot the man in the back of his head.

“I then run back to the car which was now in front of the house. We drive from there to the corner on the side of the house. Cordero then drop me home through Breadfruit Street and he drive off.”

“About 20 minutes later, I call ‘Timer’ and told him everything was straight.”

When cross-examined by Mr Ducille, the officer admitted that there was no start time noted on the record of the interview.

He explained that it was an oversight on his part.

Prior to Sgt Evans giving evidence, his junior colleague, Cpl Evans, testified that Farrington admitted to the murder he was being questioned about.

He too claimed that Farrington was never threatened, brutalised, offered or promised any incentives for a statement.

In cross-examination, Mr Ducille asked the officer when the record of interview started.

“I am not certain of the time,” Cpl Evans said.

“I’m suggesting to you that no record of interview took place because you had a document prepared for him to sign,” the lawyer said.

“Totally false,” the policeman replied.“On the record of interview, was he asked whether he wished to have an attorney present?” Mr Ducille asked.

“That question was not put to him, but it was explained to him,” the officer answered.

“I’m suggesting that you told him you had instructions he should be killed on the road,” the attorney said.

“No sir” the policeman said.

The officer denied the next suggestion that he and Sgt Evans, ASP Fernander, and another officer were in the room during the interview. He claimed only he and Sgt Evans were present.

Mr Ducille then suggested that the officers cuffed his client’s hands behind his back, repeatedly beat him in the chest with another set of handcuffs and when Farrington refused to do what Sgt Evans wanted him to do, suffocated him with an ammonia scented fishbag before he opted to sign the statement.

Corporal Evans denied that any of what was suggested ever occurred at the Central Detective Unit.