The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN on bail for murder was sentenced to 24 months in prison after admitting to having an unlicensed gun in his room in Gambier Village last week.

Magistrate Lennox Coleby charged Takeyo “Keyo” Poitier, 21, with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

Poitier’s mother and brother, Shanequa Poitier, 41, and Cedric Sears, 18, were his co-accused.

Levon Johnson represented them.

Police, acting on a search warrant, entered the defendants’ residence in Gambier Village on July 29. Officers recovered a black 40mm Springfield pistol in Takeyo’s room. The weapon was also found with three rounds of 40mm ammunition.

At the time of his arrest, Poitier was on bail charged with murder. He is accused of killing Shanton Johnson outside his home in Gambier Village during a botched break-in in 2022.

Poitier admitted to having a gun in his room for his protection in a subsequent police interview.

He was the sole defendant to plead guilty to the offence in court. He said he pleaded guilty to prevent his mother from going to jail. The charges against his co-accused were consequently withdrawn.

In his mitigation plea, Mr Johnson said his young client was employed in construction and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. In addition to noting Poitier’s remorse, the attorney asked that an 18-month sentence be imposed on his client.

Poitier was sentenced to 24 months in prison and was informed of his right to appeal his sentencing within seven days.