Self-confessed killer handed life sentence for 2nd killing

Already serving 15 years in prison for manslaughter, Joshua Meredith was on Wednesday sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 30 years for a similar crime.

The 29-year-old former East Ruimveldt, Georgetown convict was arraigned before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow for the November 21, 2016 murder of Paul Rodney, 31, of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge, resulting in a jury being empanelled to hear the evidence and to determine whether he was innocent or guilty. However, as the trial progressed, Meredith opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter. As such, the trial Judge directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty on the murder charge, and a formal guilty verdict for manslaughter.

At Meredith’s sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Justice Barlow explained that she accepted his guilty plea because provocation was established from the evidence. She, nevertheless, told Meredith that he shot and killed Rodney one month after he had shot and killed another man during a robbery. According to her, he was probably emboldened to do this by the fact that he had not been caught for the other killing.
On the day Rodney was riddled with bullets, she said, Meredith exhibited scant regard for others’ lives, limbs and properties by firing a gun indiscriminately.
In her sentencing remarks, the Judge alluded to the convict’s criminal conduct as a teenager, which saw him being charged and placed before the court for robbery when he was 15 years old.
After becoming an adult, she noted, Meredith continued along this path, engaging in a delinquent lifestyle that his family did not approve of. She pointed out that it was very unfortunate that members of Meredith’s community had labelled him a “notorious criminal”.
In the end, Justice Barlow concluded that a sentence of life imprisonment would be appropriate, given the circumstances of the case. She explained that such a sentence was warranted to send a strong message to would-be offenders: that the court would not condone crimes.
She ordered that the convicted killer must serve a minimum of 30 years before he is eligible for parole. But from this, a 10-year deduction was made for his early guilty plea, meaning that he will be considered for parole after 20 years.
Meredith has not been credited for the time he spent in pre-trial custody.
Asked if he had anything to say before being sentenced, Meredith told the victim’s family “I am sorry”.
He was represented by defence counsel Adrian Thompson, while State Counsel Cicelia Corbin, and State Counsel Rbina Christmas presented the case for the prosecution.
It was reported that Rodney and a group of men were involved in an argument at Avocado Avenue in West Ruimveldt. The argument escalated into a fight, during which Rodney attempted to escape, but was pursued and shot several times about his body. His killer(s) escaped on a CG motorcycle.
Police Headquarters, in a statement on the killing, had stated that ranks were on a mobile patrol when they heard several explosions, and they went to investigate. They came upon a group of men running, during which several more gunshots were fired. Rodney was subsequently found lying motionless on the ground, covered in blood.

2020 conviction
In December 2020, Meredith was given a 15-year jail sentence for manslaughter in relation to the death of Charlestown, Georgetown resident Gregory Garraway, who was shot during a robbery. He was indicted for murder, but elected to plead guilty to the lesser offence.
On October 2, 2016, Garraway, 21, who had gone to “Wings and Things Bar” at Mandela Avenue, Georgetown to purchase food, was wearing two gold chains around his neck. After placing his order, he left the bar. When Garraway returned, as he was crossing the street to pick up the food, Meredith snatched his chains, pulled a gun from his pocket, and discharged a round in Garraway’s direction, killing him.
A post-mortem examination performed on the body revealed that Garraway sustained gunshot wounds to his abdomen, and died as a result of septic shock.
Meredith was subsequently pointed out at an identification parade by the late Garraway’s brother, who was present at the time of the shooting. The Home Affairs Minister has granted him remission for about 80 days on the 15-year prison term.
In 2009, when he was just 15, Meredith dropped out of school and travelled to neighbouring Suriname, where he admitted to being involved in criminal activities. That same year he was charged and placed before the courts for robbery. He was convicted of the offence, but owing to his tender age, the Magistrate fined him $20,000 and placed him on a bond to keep the peace for two years.
Residents in the East Ruimveldt community where Meredith lived had mixed reactions about him. While some said he was a very jovial and helpful young man, others described him as a “notorious criminal.”
Reports from the prison revealed that Meredith is a very disrespectful and disorderly inmate. As a result of his attitude, prison officers were forced to place him in solitary confinement.
There were a few positive reports about him from the prison, including his willingness to attend anger management and rehabilitation programmes. Moreover, a probation report in his favour disclosed that he was unable to have a good childhood due to several circumstances, including abandonment by his father. (G1)