By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
TWO men who received what a prosecutor believes to be lenient sentences for armed robbery were urged by a Supreme Court judge yesterday to take advantage of learning opportunities available at the prison.
While armed robbery normally carries at least a 10-year sentence, Bianco Smith, 21, and Kedero Key, 20, received two year sentences from Justice Carolita Bethell concerning the June 25, 2013 armed robbery of off-duty police officer, Perez Butler.
Speaking to Smith specifically, who had requested to be placed in the carpentry unit at the prison, Justice Bethell told the convict: “I hope you take advantage of it.”
“They have English (classes) there as well. Learn to read. You can’t go very far if you can’t learn to read. You could become a foreman or a contractor,” the judge added.
According to the Crown’s case, Butler was sitting in his car when Smith and Key approached him with a handgun and robbed him of a cell phone and wallet containing $150 cash. Smith was said to be in possession of the gun.
A jury convicted the pair of armed robbery at trial on April 25 of this year.
Justice Bethell yesterday acknowledged a number of points made in the probation reports concerning the pair, including that relatives and friends of the two believed the offences to be out of character.
“They are both young men and sadly they did not have male figures prominently in their lives,” the judge said.
Smith, who had spent two years in custody awaiting trial, was sentenced to two years imprisonment from the date of conviction.
“The court also places him on probation for two years on a bond of good behaviour to take effect from the time of his release from prison. On his release, he is to be assigned a counsellor and a supervisor. He is to commit no criminal offence during this period. Should he commit any offence, he will serve an addition two years imprisonment,” the judge added.
Key, who spent less time on remand, was sentenced to two years and nine months at the Department of Correctional Services from the date of the conviction.
He will also receive the same probationary period and attached conditions upon release from custody.
The court further noted his request to be attached to the electrical unit during his incarceration.
Key and Smith were represented by attorneys Elliot Lockhart, QC, and Lessiah Rolle.
Crown prosecutor Cordell Frazier said the sentences will likely be contested in the Court of Appeal.
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