Murderer’s Sentence Reduced On Appeal
Murderer Jermaine Pearman, who admitted killing his former girlfriend Shakeya DeRoza, had his life sentence reduced to 21 years by the Court of Appeal today [Nov.8].
In January of this year Mr Pearman, 38, was sentenced to life in prison with the judge directing he must serve a minimum of 25 years before being eligible for parole.
Mr. Pearman had pleaded guilty to killing the mother of his child, 23-year-old Sandys resident Shakeya DeRoza. He had attacked Ms DeRoza at her Paynter Lane home on July 10, 2009.
Ms DeRoza, who worked as a Corrections Officer, staggered out of the house following the brutal attack, but collapsed and died on Middle Road after trying to reach neighbourhood shops for help. Police arrested Mr Pearman later that same afternoon following a stand-off on the Railway Trail in Somerset.
In the process of sentencing Mr Pearman earlier this year Justice Carlisle Greaves referred to him as “controlling”, a “relentless abuser” and a “dangerous man.”
[File photo]
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Articles that link to this one:
- UK Privy Council Reduces Murderers’ Sentences | Bernews.com | October 8, 2013
WHAT KIND OF BS SYSTEM DOES THIS ISLAND HAVE? HE HAS THE TIME TO EVEN SLIT THE POOR GIRL’S THROAT!! HIS SENTENCE IS REDUCED TO BELOW THE MINIMUM???
I agree, It is not fair. he admitted to taking a life and his sentence is reduced. Who is paying his lawyer? Us the taxpayer. Legal aid?
So what facts decide whether or not an appeal is granted in the Court of Appeal??? I am tired of reading about convicted violent offenders getting shorter sentences without proper explanation. Why do we cut a break to a “controlling…relentless abuser…[and] dangerous man”???
Decreased? should have been incresed!!!!!!
Yes. Increased big time. I want something like that for once hit a judge. One of their family members . Lord, they would want to give 200 years.
One question.
Whyyyyy?
One question for you….
WHY NOT????? maybe if it was YOUR sister, mother, aunt or godma that he brutally murdered because he couldn’t have his way maybe you would be asking WHY it wasn’t longer as well……….
I believe superdave was asking why the sentence was decreased
Correct BTW.
“increased”
I believe Superdave is asking the question as to “why” was the sentence decreased and not increased.
This is the reason that there is no faith in the justice system in this country!!!
THIS MAN BUTCHERED HIS EX!!HE DOES NOT DESERVE TO LIVE, LET ALONE SERVE A SMALLER SENTENCE!!
TO HELL WITH YOU MAGSTRIATES- IF YOU HURT MY FAMILY, YOU WILL DIE! NO NEED FOR TRIAL AS I WILL CALL THE POLICE MY DAMN SELF AND WAIT FOR THEM TO ARRIVE TO ARREST ME.
You have created this type of chaos with your need for control – you never once thought about how this man affects this community – did you?
Those who know me know that I speak the truth so understand you have unleashed the beast – you have been warned.
Yng Black Mind
(those who know DAMN SURE understand)
I WHOLE HEARTILY AGREE!!! I WILL NOOOTT BE WAITING ON BERMUDA POLICE OR COURTS TO GIVE ME JUSTICE!! YOU HURT MY FAMILY I WILL MAKE JUSTICE MY DAM SELF AND SHOW THEM HOW IT IS DONE!!!!!
I HAVE NO FAITH IN THIS SYSTEM!!!!!!!!!
21 years means out on parole in 7.
Unless of course he slips on the back stairs at Westgate and breaks his neck. But that would be such a tragic accident.
No, it means that he has to serve 21 years before he can apply for parole. The 21 years is a minimum, no reductions there or considerations for good behaviour…
Thoughts and prayers go out to the family and children of the young lady. Tragic.
Judge Greaves clearly understood this guy and reflected that in the sentencing.
Sadly, it appears the Appeal Court didn’t.
Said it once, will repeat Foreign judges do not give a damn about Bermuda,nor the hell they create when they undermine the judicial system with their luke warm punishment for people that are convicted of the most heinous crimes. Would a Bermuda born judge let a monster back out into his society so quickly?
As a matter of fact yes. i know of one case in particular where a Bermudian judge let those charged walk!
Reasoning per the RG:
“The judges said it would not be right for Jermaine Pearman to serve 25 years when convicted child killer Ze Selassie only got 28″
Are you serious????? Now we are comparing murderers, ‘Oh he’s not AS bad of a murderer, so we’ll cut him a break’
Bermuda justice system is antiquated and in real need of a re-write!!
What the He’ll is going on? This is not the first time this has happened. Brutally murdering some one you get life in prison reduced to 25 years pretty soon you will see 25 years maximum for murder reduce to 10 years etc. What the Hell is wrong with these people? If there is a problem with the system those dreamers need to fix it ASAP.
The judges live in ivory towers They are collected by car from their hotel room and return to it and eat dinner in it. They then come out and do it on us hard working people. do what? You know it must smell .
This is bull! I am so sick of this f’ing country and the stupid BS that is allowed to happen! We are now comparing murders?! He stabbed her; he assaulted her; he beat her repeatedly – facts, not fiction!
It’s bad enough that my tax dollars are going to cover his expenses for 21 years – I would rather you just hang his ass and save me the time, energy and money to keep his punk ass alive!
It is this type of BS that creates a hatred for law and order in our young people – get ya s**it together!
The community is going to start taking things into their own hands and it will be the fault of these judges who would rather sit in judgement than give a damn about the well being and safety of the Bermudian people!
Rant done!
Yng Black Mind
I totally agree MinorMatters! I’ve spoken those same words at family functions about the foreign judges. There is no reason that his sentence should have been reduced because his first sentence was not enough to begin with! Knowing that if I murder someone and admit that I did it; then appeal it in court and receive a smaller sentence and probably only do half of the time because I behave well, does not sit right with me! This just sets the standard for those that will commit the same offence in years to come and have hope that they will only receive a “slap” on the wrist.
I’m just sad for Shakeya’s family who is rasing her two young children, who have to grow up without their mother.
Thank goodness we’re out of here soon.
That’s why we so love the mother country, and all those that cling to her leg. These IDIOTS haven’t clue about life over this side of the pond. And we wonder why the UK has so many issues?
I am sure if it hasn’t been said yet, one of the loyalist will try and blame the PLP for this.
My heart goes out to the family of Ms. DeRoza, knowing that the killer of their loved one, will not die behind bars and could eventually one day return to society.
God Bless Us All
I have to agree with your comment about blaming the PLP. I’m sure it will come up soon.
It is amazing, the things that the judicial system allows is going to hurt us in the long run if we don’t get it together.
@ Soon leavin’ – I hope you purchased your own island, because wherever you are going must be the BEST place on earth, no crime. Sounds like you heading to the happiest place on earth. Tell Mickey & Goofy i said Whats Up
This story is so sickening I ain’t even gonna comment! Actually…. Sick a$$ judges!!
Just disturbing…..he hasnt even been in jail for 5 years and he is appealing???? What kind of courts system we have…..someone said BS. They are surely right! The parole/ appeal baord should be ashamed….if this was there child, or close family member killed, i bet you this guy wont see the light of day.
I don’t understand a society that rewards bad with good. What message are you sending to the youth? I’ll spell it out for you. One can “get away with murder”.
The judges are fools for comparing cases. It’s like comparing apples with oranges. Each case should be judged on it’s own accord.
I extend my sincere condolences to the family.
Bermuda, we must do better.
Well said!
prime example of Banana Republic.
especially when considering that the Prime Minister is also Minister of Finance (but with no business training whatsoever).
You mean Premier right?
Regardless what they mean i feel that throwing mud on the premier in this context is unnecessary. Let’s not forget the real issue! The judges and appeal board letting things like this happen! And the fact they they cannot distinguish premier from prime minister makes me wonder if they really know what they are talking about in the first place.
Really Bermuda?!?! We let convicted and confessed killers get off easier??? The Bermuda judicial system is a real joke…I can’t even get this concept through my mind. i have never ever felt the need to respond to any other post but this is just damn ridiculous! Soon he will ba back out on our streets taking the life of someone else, and then what are we going to say??? Bermuda really needs to get it together because it is just too much crap going on. My heart goes out to the family of this young lady, I know they must really be feeling it.
WHAT THE F is really going on!!!! Shouldn’t admit have been the key word here.. If he ADMITTED to such a brutal, heinous act why on God’s green earth would they even consider an appeal. And compare to another case, puhlease, I dont think the other guy admitted to the murder he committed(I could be wrong) mind you both their arses should’ve been put under the dang prison. Let’s sort it out.
If he would have killed my sister i would have wanted him to get off so i could deal with him. KNO DAT!!!!!!!!
a life sentence should me that you stay in jail until you die no parole ever this guy will be out in 8 years need to bring back the death sentence and cary it out this guy was a monster and a sick ass we are spending $85000 ayear to keep a muderer alive and well fed cases like this shoul never ever be allowed any type of stupid appeal tax payers paid for his lawyer (legal aid)
My cuz Is doIn twenty five for attempted murder. And u have thIs creep gettin twenty one years and a next creep doIn twenty 8 years for brutally kIlling females ???? DId I say females, smhhhhhhhhhh
um i am sorry but you do know your cousin tried to kill some one right and had he do that he would be a creep to and in my book he is sorry but you seem to be saying that your cousin is a little bit better then these guys if so HELL NO HIS ASS IS JUST THE SAME.
I suspect that after twenty years in a cage , Dude will resemble a hunched-backed monkey .
I feel that we should put them all in a 200ft hole and fill it up sand and forget about them a nice slow death. I’m so sick of this one must ask himself or herself how,why,what and where is justice found.
Is this country completely out of it’s mind?
Can someone please explain to us how the appeal process works, who sits on the appeals committee? Can the appeal re revoked? What is the next step for law abiding citizens.?
Everyone in Bermuda has the right to appeal against conviction in the Supreme Court or any decision by the Court on a question of law alone. Alternatively, someone convicted can appeal on a question of fact, or of mixed fact and law, or someone believing his sentence is excessive, with either permission of the Supreme Court or of the Court of Appeal.
Appeals from this decision would only be allowed to Privy Council in London if that court granted permission and only if it felt there was a question of great general or public importance.
Generally, the Privy Council wouldn’t allow the Crown’s appeal merely against sentence, unless there would be broader principles which may need to be clarified. Considering that certain provisions of the Criminal Code were attacked by the Court of Appeal last year regarding premeditated murder but not regular murder, this could be the case to effect a major clarification.
This article says nothing about who is responsible for cut this heinous murderer’s sentence. We need to know the names so that we can make sure who (and what) we are dealing with in those individuals who have stood up for this reduction.
The panel deciding this appeal consisted of Edward Zacca (former Chief Justice of Jamaica), Sir Austin Ward (former Chief Justice of Bermuda) and Sir Scott Baker (former Lord Justice of Appeal in England).
There you go. Now what do you do?
WHAT THE HELL, HAS THE WHOLE WORLD GONE CRAZY?!
This is absolute madness! I cannot for the life of me comprehend why the Appeals Court would reduce this man’s sentence. The man raped then murdered Ms. DeRoza. Just because this was considered a “simple” murder as compared to “premeditated” (in the case of Selassie, to which Pearman’s case was compared), and Pearman pled guilty, does that make the victim any less dead? The intent to kill was obvious; that should be enough to lay down the maximum sentence under the law. Pearman needs to be kept behind bars forever. My heart aches for Ms. DeRoza’s family…they’ve suffered the injury of losing a loved one to an absolute beast, now they suffer the insult of a gutless judiciary.
This man has a history of violence!!!!!! What the hell are they thinking!!! He is a sick twisted individual!! He should never be released… I’m sorry but something is wrong with this justice system if they think this man should be let back into society..
The only way a convicted killer should get out of jail is if his victim comes back to life and forgives him.
I wonder why no one in authority has taken this up! Does it end here?
THIS GUY IS A MURDER! I FEEL BERMUDA JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS FAILED US! SOOOO DISAPPOINTED IN THIS DECISION VERY VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED!!! I AM DISGUSTED!! I FEEL THE PPL OF BERMUDA HAVE NO VOICE, AND THE ONLY PEOPLE THEY GIVE A VOICE TO ARE THE CRIMINALS!!!
WHAT ABOUT THE FAMILY, WHAT ABOUT HER FRIENDS, WHO JUDGE COULD THEY APPEAL TO FOR A REDUCE SENTENCE??!! I HATE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM OF BERMUDA…WHAT JUSTICE??!!!