(CMR) Elmer Wright (26) was found guilty this morning after being found guilty of six offenses related to a Patrick's Island home invasion that took place on June 17, 2017. He was found guilty of attempted burglary, aggravated burglary, robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm, damage to proper, and robbery.
Yesterday morning Justice Roger Chapple began reading his detailed judgment. However, after reconvening after lunch at 2:00 pm the judgment was delayed because of the earthquake and subsequently had to resume this morning.
The assault took place over a three hour period of time and involved four assailants. The other men have now pleaded guilty with fourth suspect, Shane Connor, now awaiting his fate on these charges. Connor was not publicly named until last month as critical evidence was still being collected. Caine Thomas and Nikel Thomas (25) eventually confessed to some role in the incident.
The trial took place by judge alone and Justice Chapple acknowledged admitted difficulties in the case with the prosecutor admitting to being “personally embarrassed” after additional evidence came to light and was served late on the defense. The court's indulgence was begged in relation to these delays. The judge accepted the delay was due to inefficiencies as opposed to bad faith on the part of the DPP.
The additional evidence consisted mostly of phone messages from a Samsung device. It was revealed during the trial that the accused men, including Connor, kept multiple phones at various locations for their criminal enterprise.
Prosecution witnesses, Nikel Thomas (25), were found by the judge to be unreliable and he rejected his evidence after he found he had lied to him on multiple occasions. The also found Wright to be “a consummate liar” after he rejected his alibi that he had gone into the bushes to hunt or use the bathroom.
The home invasion left the husband and wife couple traumatized after they were attacked while housesitting a friend's home. They described how the assailants used a clown style Halloween mask whilst carrying out the attack. Their efforts to cover-up the evidence afterward were thwarted and some of the involved parties were soon apprehended.
In the end, the forensic evidence was too compelling.
Elmer was transported to and from the courthouse in unprecedented security with snipers and a full entourage of armed units including the police helicopter. CMR understands he had threatened to “blow up the courthouse”. Many social media commentators observed that he was under greater security whilst being transported than he was whilst actually at the prison.
Wright was represented by defense attorney, Keith Myers after Amelia Fosuhene removed herself from the case.
Wright was also convicted last week on two counts of possession of an unlicensed firearm after his fingerprint was discovered inside a plastic bag that contained the ammunition and bulletproof vest. He was already arrested and the time and tracking information from his ankle monitor provided evidence as to his location. In that case, Justice St. John-Stevens found him to be unbelievable.
UPDATE: January 31, 2020
Wright received a life sentence today and will have to serve at least 18-years before he is eligible for parole. Justice Chapple who convicted him earlier this week of a home invasion stated that the career criminal remained a clear and present danger to society. Not only was Wright convicted of multiple serious offenses but whilst in jail and on bail for the home invasion he continued his criminal enterprise – and even illegally sold phones whilst in prison.
Wright received an indiscriminate sentence which means he will remain in jail potentially for the remainder of his life, but will not be eligible for parole consideration for a minimum of 18-years. This now makes him the second person to receive such a sentence for a non-capital offense. Serial rapists Jeffery Barnes has also received an indiscriminate life sentence.
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