By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A JURY accepted that Janaldo Farrington had confessed to Stephen Sherman’s “execution” for pay when they unanimously found him guilty of murder and conspiring to commit murder.

Before excusing the Supreme Court jury at 11:45am yesterday to deliberate on a verdict for the four counts Farrington faced, Justice Roy Jones told the 12-member jury that “the case stands and falls on your acceptance or rejection of the confession statement”.

Having deliberated on the evidence in the case for three hours, the jury returned with the unanimous guilty verdicts on the two charges and a third charge of armed robbery concerning Mr Sherman.

The jury was split 8-4 on the other armed robbery charge concerning Sherman’s niece, but the majority guilty verdict was accepted in law.

There was no visual reaction from Farrington who stood as Justice Roy Jones reiterated the jury’s verdict and told him that he would be sentenced accordingly on November 29.

‘Satisfaction & Unfinished Issues’

Though he initially said there was no consolation for the family that the last of the three accused was still standing trial in connection with the murder, Greg Sherman said yesterday that the family was “elated” by the verdict.

“We are satisfied that the jury rendered an excellent verdict. It was unanimous on all counts with the exception of one count,” the brother of the deceased said.

“It still is a victory for us and now we can begin the process of healing within the family.”

“In a few days you’ll probably learn of something else coming, being put forward in the press, but there are some other unfinished issues that we need to settle up as regard to this matter.”

“But for now we are elated that the jury returned such a unanimous verdict.”

Case History and ‘Confession’

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 on the evening of February 17, 2012.

He was robbed of his cell phone before being shot. His niece, who was in the car with him, was also robbed.

His wife, and 22-year-olds Janaldo Farrington and Cordero Bethel, both of Pinewood Gardens, were charged with conspiring to commit murder.

Farrington and Bethel were together charged with his murder and the two armed robberies while the widow was charged with aiding and abetting the murder of her husband. All three denied the charges.

With last Thursday’s acquittal of the widow and Bethel, only Farrington was left to answer to the charges against him because of a confession that he gave to the police on February 24, 2012.

According to the statement that Farrington had given to Sgt 527 Basil Evans, he was contacted by his cousin “Timer” who informed him that a woman was ordering a hit on her husband “because he used to beat her and he had a big insurance.”

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.

However, lawyer Murrio Ducille suggested to the detective that they brutalised his client in order to get him to sign the statement.

‘Brutality Claims’

Farrington testified in his defence that on February 24, 2012, three police officers, one he knew by name and the others by face, took him to the Central Detective Unit through a side entrance.

Farrington claimed that instead of being booked in, he was taken upstairs and put in a room with a number of officers.

He named officer Brown, Corporal Evans and ASP Fernander, but said there were six in total, including Sgt Evans.

Farrington claimed that while being handcuffed behind his back, Sgt Evans told him to sign the statement and when he refused to do so without a lawyer present, he was struck in the chest with a handcuff.

The accused said the officer put ammonia in a fishbag, shook it and poured it out before placing it over his head in order to get him to sign the statement.

After a second, a longer experience of being suffocated, Farrington claimed he did what officers told him to do and signed the statement.

‘Cold Hearted Killer’

When cross-examined by prosecutor Sandradee Gardiner, Farrington said he did not complain of the abuse when booked into the Carmichael Road police station.

Prosecutor Gardiner asked the accused if he complained to the lawyer of the pain he was experiencing at that time.

“No, I didn’t tell him I was in pain,” the accused said, adding that his lawyer was a doctor and therefore could not help him at that time.

Farrington, however, admitted that he knew his lawyer was responsible for ensuring his rights were protected.

“Did you tell anyone other than the prison doctor?” the prosecutor asked. Farrington said no.

Gardiner asked the accused if he understood that he had a right to remain silent and not sign anything. “Yes,” he said.

“At the time you were arrested, did you feel sorry for what you did?” Farrington was asked. The accused said he only felt sorry because he didn’t know what he was being arrested for.

“Why you feeling sorry? You ain’t do nothing?” she commented, before asking him if he expected the court to believe the police conspired the investigation and “chose you to pin a murder on?”

“Yes, ma’am,” the accused said.

“I’m going to suggest to you, you’re a cold hearted killer,” the prosecutor said. “No, ma’am,” Farrington replied.