Attorney urges ‘humble forgiveness’ as judge prepares to sentence murder convict
Published:Saturday | December 13, 2025 | 12:09 AMTanesha Mundle/Staff Reporter
The man who was found guilty for the 2018 murder of businessman Jean-Pierre Rhone, after he went missing, is to know his fate on Monday.
Twenty-six-year-old Shamar Clarke, a former employee of Rhone, was remanded by Justice Carolyn Tie-Powell for sentencing on Thursday after his lawyer made an impassioned plea for mercy during his plea-in-mitigation.
The small-framed convict, who appeared very uneasy as he sat in the dock while being supported by his wife, was found guilty of murder, larceny, and preventing the lawful burial of a corpse following his trial in September.
The body of the general manager of New Home Era and Consulting was found in Port Rocky in Port Royal, Kingston, on October 17, 2018, three days after he was reported missing. Rhone’s death was caused by strangulation.
Clarke, who had left the company at the time of the incident, indicated during the trial that he attacked Rhone after the businessman allegedly made sexual advances towards him.
On the day of the incident, he had met up with Rhone in Cross Roads, Kingston, and then accompanied him to Port Royal, where their encounter ended in tragedy.
Four men who gave character evidence on Thursday, on Clarke’s behalf, said they were in shock when they learned of the incident.
They collectively described Clarke as an individual who was deeply involved in the church, humble, hardworking, reserved, and easygoing.
A software engineer who met Clarke through church and had known him for 13 years said, “I couldn’t believe it. I heard it this morning. I was shocked. This isn’t the Shamar Clarke that I know.”
Asked by the judge to explain how he was only now learning of the incident, he said he and Clarke only associated through church and that Clarke had moved to another church two to three years ago.
A dean of disciple who said he knew Clarke for over 20 years added, “I still can’t come to terms with it. I am still in shock.
“Up to this point, I can’t come to the full realisation that this is happening as we speak.”
Meanwhile, attorney Lynden Wellesley, during his plea-in-mitigation, urged the judge to consider Clarke’s impeccable record before the incident, his youth, and to temper mercy with justice. He also asked the judge to weigh the character evidence.
“We are asking for justice that reflects not retribution, not condemnation, but humble forgiveness – one that enhances rehabilitation and allows Mr Clarke to reflect,” he said.
Wellesley pointed out that the social inquiry report indicated his client is remorseful and has not shirked from accepting responsibility for his actions.
He also highlighted that his client was not seen as a violent person or someone who posed a threat to society, before asking the judge to use her judicial wisdom and understanding to hand down a sentence that is just.
Attorney Althea Freeman also represented Clarke.