Kingston teacher sentenced to 30 years in prison for 'truly horrendous' murder of businessman

A Kingston teacher who strangled businessman Jean-Pierre Rhone to death in 2018 after luring him from his home and robbing him has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the "truly horrendous" crime.

“A young, tertiary-educated man, with a seemingly bright future, working in the family business, was killed,” said Justice Carolyn Tie-Powell, who handed down the sentence in the Home Circuit Court on Tuesday.

She described the killing as “truly horrendous,” noting the devastating impact on Rhone's family.

The convict, 26-year-old Shamar Clarke, a former employee of Rhone’s family business, New Home Era and Consulting, murdered the businessman in bushes in Port Royal, Kingston. He wrapped Rhone's body in a sheet, and buried it under sand. Rhone had been reported missing.

Following the killing, Clarke fled with the motor van Rhone was driving and attempted to sell it. He also used bank cards stolen from the victim.

Clarke was sentenced in the Home Ciruit Court to 30 years for murder, four years and 11 months for simple larceny, and two years for preventing the lawful and decent burial of a corpse. The sentences are to run concurrently, with six months already served deducted.

Justice Tie-Powell said that while a life sentence was legally available, a determinate sentence was more appropriate.

“Life imprisonment is generally reserved for the worst cases,” she said. “Having considered what was done and who did it, I am satisfied that a life sentence would not be appropriate," she said.

Clarke was unanimously found guilty by a seven-member jury in October on charges of murder, larceny, and preventing the lawful burial of a corpse.

During the trial, Clarke claimed self-defence, alleging that Rhone made sexual advances, but prosecutors rejected the claim, presenting evidence of deliberate planning and actions after the killing.

Rhone, general manager of New Era Fencing Limited and Property Services was reported missing on October 17, 2018.

His body was discovered three days later partially buried under sand in bushes in Port Royal. Clarke had also taken Rhone’s motor vehicle, bank cards, and mobile phones, using them to mislead the family.

Clarke was represented by attorneys Lynden Wellesley and Althea Freeman.

-Tanesha Mundle

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