Kellan Lewis Convicted in Kellon Hill Murder
ZBM has reported that Kellan Lewis was convicted of manslaughter in the 2008 murder of 18 year old Kellon Hill.
The lone defendant of the original five to have been convicted, 18 year old Kellan Lewis was acquitted of the more serious charge of murder, but found guilty of manslaughter and possession of a knife in Supreme Court.
Victim Kellon Hill
Family and friends of both the defendant and the victim were in attendance at Supreme Court, with reports of ‘emotional scenes’.
Mr. Lewis hugged his crying mother before being escorted away.
The trial lasted for approximately three weeks, with the jury going out on Wed, March 17 at around 10:30am to deliberate, and coming back with a verdict late afternoon. The jury split 9 to 3 in favour of manslaughter.
Mr. Lewis will be sentenced later.
Mr. Lewis was charged with two counts; murder and possession of a bladed article in public. Prior to going out the jury was informed that they could deliberate on an alternative charge, being told should they opt to acquit on count one [murder] they could deliberate on the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Dr. Candy Zuleger, a forensic scientist from Trinity DNA Solutions in Florida, had told the court she found traces of the victim’s blood on the shirt worn by Mr. Lewis. The defendant’s lawyer had made a case centering around stating Zharrin Simmons, the lone female of the five teens originally charged, was the person actually responsible for the victim’s fatal wound.
Mr. Lewis was one of several teenagers arrested by Police on August 10, 2008, on suspicion of involvement in Mr. Hill’s death.
This was the second time Mr. Lewis was tried, as the jury which heard his original trial was unable to reach a verdict.
The altercation reportedly began when a group of teens aimed to rob Mr. Hill of his gold chain [which bore a likeness of Jesus] when he was leaving a party at Elbow Beach in August 2008.
Four other teenagers were originally charged with Mr. Lewis, however they all had the charges against them dismissed after the judge ruled they had no case to answer.
They other four defendants were:
- Gary Rupert Hollis, of Butterfield Lane, Sandys [aged 15 at time]
- Zharrin Frankie Simmons, of Deepdale Road, Pembroke [aged 16 at time]
- Devon Vonzell Hairston, of Spanish View Road, Smith’s [aged 17 at time]
- Kevin Andre Warner, of Warwick Park Road, Warwick [aged 18 at time]
The son of two teachers, Gail and Daniel Hill, 18 year old Kellon Hill was a graduate of the Bermuda Institute. He died from a stab wound to the heart on August 9 2008, only days before he was due to leave the island to continue his education at Oakwood University. A member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Mr. Hill is widely reported to have been an outstanding young man.
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