Mentally ill man sentenced to prison
Published:Tuesday | April 2, 2024 | 12:09 AM
KINGSTOWN (CMC):
A High Court judge has sentenced a mentally ill man, who killed one person and injured two others on a “day of mayhem and violence” in the capital, to 12 years and eight months in prison.
Justice Richard Floyd imposed the longest of the three sentences on Cornelius Kennedy, 32, following the death of 62 year-old Lanceworth Wilson during the December 2, 2021 attacks. Wilson died of his injuries on January 5, 2022.
But Kennedy will spend 10 years and four months in jail for the killing after the court took into consideration the time spent on remand. He had been charged with manslaughter with diminished responsibility.
Justice Floyd also imposed a sentence of five years and four months on Kennedy in connection with injuries sustained by 42-year-old vendor Cedric Codougan.
“The victim in this case was seriously injured. His facial bones were fractured and he suffered with residual long-lasting injuries, including visual impairment. He lost his livelihood,” the judge said.
Kennedy was also sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment for assaulting Junior Baptiste.
The convicted man was granted a one-third discount for his early guilty plea on each of the charges, and the sentences will run concurrently.
The court heard that Kennedy began showing signs of mental illness at the age of nine and was first hospitalised at the Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre when he was 13.
The last psychiatric report, dated May 21, 2023, details his history of mental illness. At that time, he was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and mild intellectual disability.
Justice Floyd also ordered that while incarcerated, Kennedy be assessed for, and receive treatment and counselling for substance abuse, psychiatric illness and mental health issues.
The judge also ordered that following his release from custody, Kennedy is to be monitored, assessed and treated for ongoing psychiatric and mental health issues by the mental health centre for two years. Reports are to be provided to the High Court every six months.