By Steve Thomas Observer Nevis Editor
(Basseterre, St. Kitts) ” Two men convicted of murder and attempted murder have been sentenced to death by hanging and 10 years in prison by Justice Francis Belle. Justin Bass and Lumumba Matthew were convicted in July, 2008, for a shooting attack on Jan. 12, 2007, that left one man dead and his brother wounded. Darren Berry, 18, was killed and his brother, Deon Berry, 20 was seriously wounded when they were fired upon while sitting in their jeep in the Green Hill, Bayford’s area. Monday Online Code for Issue # 730 is DAU Justice Belle handed down the sentences on Oct. 22. Mr. Bass and Mr. Matthew each received the death penalty for the murder and the prison sentence for attempted murder. With the sentencing of Mr. Bass and Mr. Matthew, there are now nine people on death row in the Federation. On July 15, 2008, Romeo Cannonier, Ruedeney Williams, Louis Gardener and Sheldon Isaac were sentenced to be hanged for the murder of Gavin Gilbert, who was gunned down at his home in Saddler’s Village on March 21, 2005. The other three death row inmates are Mr. Evanson Mitchum, sentenced on September 23, 2001; Mr. Al LaPlace, sentenced on May 30, 2006; and Mr. Travis Duporte, sentenced on July 20, 2006. All men on death row at the present time were sentenced for committing murder. The last hanging in the Federation of St .Kitts-Nevis took place on July 20, 1998, when Dave Wilson of Ottley’s Village, St. Kitts, was executed.
