(CMR) High-risk prisoner, Elmer Wright (26) was placed on the British Airways repatriation flight this evening that left the Cayman Islands and is currently in route to the United Kingdom. His transfer was arranged under the Colonial Prisoners Removal Act 1884 that allows for the removal of prisoners believed to pose a “national safety and security” risk.
The transfer was authorized by the UK and Cayman Islands Government.
Wright was jailed after being convicted in a number of cases earlier this year including a 2017 home invasion in Patrick's Island.
His removal from the prison was kept under wraps as the repatriation flight prepared to return a large number of Filipino nationals. It has been shared earlier by the Governor that the flight was permitted to land in London but no one was going to be getting off the flight. Now, it appears that Wright will be the exception.
During his trial, he was placed under extreme security with a helicopter escort and snipers placed around the courthouse. He received a life sentence on January 21, 2020 and must serve at least 18 years before being eligible for parole. Called a “career criminal” by the Justice Chapple he began his criminal career at 15-years-old. He is one of only two persons in Cayman to have received an “indeterminate sentence”.
During the sentencing Justice Chapple said,
“You have not shown one jot of remorse… and I doubt you care about anyone but yourself.”
This 19th-century law has been used very sparingly over the years. There are several other Caymanians in the UK under the same Act including brothers Osbourne Douglas and Justin Ramoon, both serving life sentences for murder. They have since sought to have the decision challenged claiming that it goes against the Bill of Rights.
The British Airways airbridge flight BA9112 left earlier this evening around 10:06 pm and should arrive in the London's Heathrow Airport at 12:32 pm.
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