Codrington Sentenced To A Minimum Of 7 Years

September 5, 2013

[Updated] Rashaun Codrington — who was only 15-years-old when he murdered another teenager — was due to be sentenced on July 30 for the murder of 18-year-old Malcolm Outerbridge, however the sentencing was postponed.

It resumed today in Supreme Court and Justice Hellman ruled that the Crown should proceed with the facts as they relate to the charge of murder.

At this afternoon’s sentencing, Codrington was sentenced to serve a life sentence of imprisonment at the Court’s pleasure but with a minimum of seven years before he could be eligible for parole and released on licence.

If released on licence, Codrington will be subject to recall and imprisonment if he breaches any parole condition, and this condition applies for the rest of his life.

The seven year minimum will include the near two years that Codrington has already spent in custody. Earlier this year Codrington plead guilty to the murder, which occurred in October 2011. The victim’s parents and sister were in Court and after the sentence expressed their complete unhappiness with the decision.

Update 5.07pm: Before passing sentence, Justice Hellman said that the killing of Malcolm Outerbridge was a wicked, stupid, and senseless act. He said that in determining sentence he was bound by legal precedents that had been set in the UK Courts; because there was no precedent in Bermuda.

He acknowledged that Codrington was fifteen at the time and he accepted Crown Counsel Carrington Mahoney’s comment that Codrington was, in Bermuda, the youngest person to be convicted of murder.

Crown Counsel Carrington Mashoney had noted UK precedent and had argued for a life sentence with a minimum sentence of 7 – 14 years before being eligible for parole. Defence lawyer Charles Richardson had argued for a maximum of six years before Codrington was eligible for parole.

Before sentence was passed, Codrington was given the usual opportunity to make a statement. Codrington stood, turned to face Malcolm’s family, and in a low, almost inaudible voice read from a written statement saying that he was “sorry for what he had done…” Malcolm’s father stood and asked: “Tell us why you did it…” but he was quickly silenced by Justice Hellman’s call for order.

Throughout Justice Hellman’s final decision, Codrington stood in the dock, usually looking down and only occasionally raising his eyes and looking at the Judge. Immediately after sentencing he was handcuffed and led out to the waiting prison van.

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  1. Tribute Mural Dedicated To Malcolm Outerbridge | Bernews.com | March 14, 2014
  1. 5 year Vacation says:

    He’ll be out in 5 year Hotel West Gate is so nice. Sounds like a vacation home for bad boys.

    • K-Dot says:

      What I dont understand is will he be able to travel once he is free? If so can he leave the island and never come back?

  2. lifetime says:

    The laws in this country are jacked up!He basically will be out in a couple of years. We should be marching in the streets to have these laws changed! Only FEAR paralyzes us!!

  3. Nok says:

    I hope he comes out and becomes a productive citizen and won’t be in court for any other crimes sush as these.This is really a slap on the wrist and a double slap to the victims family. This is not justice.

  4. Seriously.... says:

    Shameful…

    However he did get a LIFE Sentence, but surely the minimum should have be more that 7 years. He took a life!

    • Calm Guy says:

      Its because of his age, that is what people fail to realise. If he was Over the age of 18 at the time, then he would have been in jail triple the amount of time he got sentenced to.

      • Seriously.... says:

        Murder is Murder.

        You want to tell me he didn’t know that he was going to kill that young man. He ws fully aware of what he was doing. Not like he was 6 years old!

        • Calm Guy says:

          I understand were you are coming from, but like i said, they couldnt trial him as an adult, its the law.

      • Karma says:

        I don’t care if he was 15 or 35…he took a life. He should have been sentenced as an adult. End of story. The judicial system on this island is a JOKE.

  5. Come Correct says:

    “The victim’s parents and sister were in Court and after the sentence expressed their complete unhappiness with the decision.”

    Well that explains it all. I guess he should have been let off because he’s young right? Be thankful he isn’t doing the same time he sentenced Malcolm to.

    • micro says:

      What?

      • sonso says:

        his life!

      • Really?? says:

        Ok I do understand that he was a juvenile, but it wasn’t like he lashed out and stabbed Malcolm once and it was one of those things, Codrington stabbed him over 20 times! I mean come on here! And to insult the family even more, the judge said the two years he spent in custody is to be taken into consideration. Something isn’t right with this picture

        • Come Correct says:

          I feel you most definitely, there is no amount of justice that can ever fix this situation. I fully admire the response from the parents of Verniel Richardson but I can tell you mine would not have been the same, also my response probably wouldn’t have been the right one. What irritates me, and I wasn’t there I’m just going off of how the media phrased it, it seems the family of the guilty believe he should have got off or had a lighter sentence, from their reaction. If I killed someone and my parents knew I don’t know if they would inform the police or try to protect me, they have always had my back but they also taught me right from wrong and accountability. what I do know is that if I was sentenced for that they would express disappointment in me not their “complete unhappiness with the sentence”. Anyway, in my opinion considering his age I believe this is one of the most appropriate sentences we have seen in a long time. He can possibly be out in seven years, he doesn’t deserve the chance but chances are given not demanded, so I hope he takes his chance to reflact and make a change…. if not, back he goes.

          • but it says the “VICTIM’s parents and sister”

            • Come Correct says:

              *slaps forehead* Now I see the confusion, sad part is I read the article twice. My apologies then but my position on the sentence still stands. He needs to make the best of the chance he’s been given.

    • a photog says:

      Come Correct come come correct

  6. D. evans says:

    I can’t believe this pack of crock. The Outerbridge family has waited almost 2 yrs for this sentence? UNBELIVABLE!!!!!!
    The justice system in Bermuda sucks

  7. ya mama says:

    His gone **** up .. he will be back.

    • Smiles and moves on says:

      That’s the problem with bermudian a we always put people down we don’t help each other. Lets help these guts change .no we wanna keep being negative towards each other. Why don’t we stand together n help our young men instead of saying once a bad seed always a bad seed. Keep your poor comments to your self

      • Time Shall Tell says:

        I am glad someone else can see this.

      • Next says:

        Are you crazy? He murdered someone. You can’t stab someone to death then go on to lead a productive life, he clearly has issues that will last a lifetime. What’s worse is that he did it at 15. That tells you everything about him. And if you think he can change let him stay at your house when he gets out.

      • SHUT UP says:

        HE MURDERED SOMEONE YOU STUPID *****.

        IF THAT WAS YOUR FATHER, MOTHER OR BROTHER DEAD……..HOW WOULD YOU FEEL?

      • Really?? says:

        Would u feel the same if it were your child murdered?

        • Smiles and moves on says:

          You know I would be upset , it will hurt. But this where we have to pull from the Amish community. Some point we have to move on n forgive those who have sinned. If we don have faint or forgiveness are we are the same as the person who sinned. He may have killed but people snap. Point the finger back at yourself , what if it was your mother brother sister uncle or child. Would you want people to judge them this harshly for a moment where they lost themselves.

          • Truth is killin' me... says:

            Yes I would you dumb ***!

          • Your son is SCUM of the Earth says:

            You sound like someone close to this KILLER. “You know I would be upset”

            If that was my son or daughter this punk wouldn’t have a smile on his face.

          • BermudaGirl says:

            @Smiles; the Amish also have puppy mills and a Mafia, so let’s not go there….
            Seven years?? This boy will be back out on the street, seeing and hearing, maybe falling in love and marrying while his victim is sightless and sees nothing and experiences nothing for all of eternity. Yes, let him come and live with you when he gets out, as your heart is so big with forgiveness.
            We all WANT to snap. The deal we make with society is, we DON’T DO IT. EVER. Otherwise, you should lose your right to live in society ever again.

          • nuffsaid says:

            So you call murder SIN.. Get a grip. It is a CRIME OK.

      • D. Evans says:

        @smiles and move on. I’m not saying you are, but your post indicates that you may have some connection to Codrington, either family member or friend. Malcolm will never be able to get married, have children, carry on his family’s name, have a career, LIVE TO EXPERIENCE ADULTHOOD, on the other hand Codrington will after a few years hanging out at the free hotel……..

        • Smiles and moves on says:

          Yeah I know Malcolm will never grow old have a child see his family again . But by us coming against another young boy makes it better .this young man pleaded guilty right off the bet he did not put Malcolm’s family through a trial like others would, he stepped up to the plate . He could have went to trial and p#$$yfoot end around for a few months. I feel the outerbridges pain , I could only imagine their pain and loss . but I’ve watched someone close to me be out casted for a mistake they made when they was younger. I’m not related or friends either young man.

          • Sad says:

            Sorry but stabbing an innocent person multiple times and taking his life is not a mistake. It’s murder and he should be treated as a murderer.

          • D. Evans says:

            I don’t know where you got your facts from, but he kept changing his plea. So yeah he did put them through an ordeal. AGAIN I STATE THIS SENTENCE IS A JOKE

            • nuffsaid says:

              Agree. Stab one time not bad but multiply times that cause death..No way was he acting like a 15 y/o..But a hardened person out to take someones life.. And to Smiley: The bible that you are so into says an “EYE for EYE!”

            • Stormy Eyes says:

              He did not keep changing his plea. So where did you get your facts. He pleaded guilty right off hand.

              • Sandy Bottom says:

                He’s a homicidal maniac. I hope they never let him put.

  8. San George says:

    Not perfect but a great sentence – we need more of the life sentences with a license upon release that if you mess-up you go back.

    • trist says:

      A great sentence???? Are you kidding! You do realize that messing up for this killer – may mean someone else’s life. I hope it isn’t your brother, sister, mom, dad, son, daughter who’s life he takes the next time “if he messes up”. I doubt if it was your family that was affected, you opinion would be the same.

    • Davie Kerr says:

      Sorry, can’t agree that it’s “a great sentence.” As far as I’m concerned, he took an innocent life so his own should be forfeit, and, as we no longer have the death penalty available (well, I believe we still do, but nobody’s had the balls to apply it for coming up 40 years), life should mean LIFE. End of.

      • Truth is killin' me... says:

        1000% agree Davie. The courts here suck Grand Haggis!

      • Free rashun says:

        For real all these ignorant talking and they dont know the story and want to judge

        • nuffsaid says:

          One needs not know the story or reason behind the case.. Murder is murder. No info needed. He finally admitted to killing the person…. murdering someone. So that earned him a 7 yr sentence? Hell no it should not have. He killed the boy and then tried to burn him up as well. They should have chucked his butt in jail and tossed the key to the alligators.

  9. Miguelito says:

    Chingas…this seems like a VERY light sentence for murder. Mercy!

  10. New Tatics says:

    What a slap in the face…… he will be out in no time. But the judge was right and there is nothing we can do about it unless new laws are replaced and introduced into the court.

    Sad day for the family, and I hope that they find another way to try this guy.

    • Terry says:

      “find another way to try this guy”
      He pleaded guilty.
      Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      No way in hell will he be out in 7 years or prior.
      Detained at Her Majesty’s pleasure.
      Parole and all and boards.

      He won’t be out for a long time and most of us would have passed anyway.

  11. Picks says:

    @smiles and moves on

    I agree with you, its very unfortunate for Malcolm’s parents.
    I understand their grief, but its not going to bring him back what sentence they gave him (Rashaun Codrington), nobody wins.

  12. A. Little says:

    …he’s all ‘smiles’ in the headline picture!?… what’s up with that!?… mercy, Lord have mercy!

    • frank says:

      he killed some ones child that child is not ever coming home he should get life in prison with out ever getting out a don’t tell me he did not know what he was doing

  13. sage says:

    I saw Malcolm’s dad visiting his son’s grave which i painted last year and being a father it really is unimaginable what a loss like this must be like for his parents.This “sentence” is a slap in the face of all right thinking people and shows the lack of respect for human life all too familiar in this disgrace of a system.Eye for an eye, when you commit murder you forfeit all your rights in my opinion.Life without parole is reserved exclusively for cultivation of herb in this island.

  14. Nuffin but da Truth says:

    little b*st*rd should have been given the Death Sentence!

    • Balanced Facts says:

      But…we don’t have the death sentence! We cant shoot the messenger on this one, the law is what it is! And Evil has prevailed….cold, wicked boy …and he ‘ll be back !

  15. UpsetwithVerdict says:

    We really need to walk n protest this one! Come on Bermuda stand up for your rights! We need to stop being so passive.

    • Fruity says:

      I agree… but what does it really take to change a law? And a law to this degree?
      Sometimes no matter how bold and direct, the twisted system has great detail to configure and correctly produce. Its all messed up either way.
      Very sad. I was taken back more by seeing him smile. SMH

  16. system is ****ed says:

    my best friend sure as hell didn’t deserve to die you commit a crime u do the damn time……
    TIP Mal love you like life best see u at the cross roads happy to see u in a better place but u didn’t deserve to go at all

  17. Truth is killin' me... says:

    Organize, organize, organize and march on cabinet when it convenes! This is definitely worth marching for and when you see Justice Hellman, give him a big hug for a job well done…NOT! His hands are tied however the lawmakers in this country…Mark Pettingil…if you’re listening, need to sort this $h!t out!!!

  18. Balanced Facts says:

    Right there, in our midst….EVIL!

  19. Lisa says:

    What is unbelievable is how ignorant almost every one of you that has commented is. First of all, if you don’t sit in court and hear the facts of the cases, there is no way you can rely on a 3 paragraph news report for the facts. And the simple TRUTHS include these…Malcolm wasn’t an angel. Doesn’t justify murder but it’s fact. Next, pleading guilty does NOT in fact indicate guilt. What it does indicate is that there are in fact times when evidence, circumstantial or otherwise, simply points at someone who may be innocent. If you haven’t seen the movie American Violet, take a watch. People plead guilty everyday to crimes they disnt commit. But skipping tons of other facts, you all need to stop with the emotional judgement calls and be real! You know nothing about Mr. Codrington. No understanding of what put him in this situation in the first place. The justice system is about balancing punishment with rehabilitation. So stop being so blind and ignorant and realize that he was 15!!! He has his demons like so many of you, but the fact that you think that you are that inferior that he shouldn’t be given a chance to make amends is indicative of BERMUDA and your sometimes miseducation and lack of forgiveness. Signs of the real reasons this island is becoming the nightmare it is…and no I don’t know him not am I his family. Just stating facts and how they measure up to the assumptions half of you throw around.

    • Truth is killin' me... says:

      “People plead guilty everyday to crimes they don’t commit.” Speak for yourself Lisa. If I’m not guilty of something I would fight tooth and nail to exonerate myself. People plead guilty everyday…UTTER BS!

    • WHAT!!! says:

      Sit down and shut your trap Lisa. You must know him because you sent this at 5am in the morning. What couldn’t sleep? Wonder how would you feel if RIP was your son, go sing your tired A$$ song to the Salvation Army woman.

      • Lisa says:

        Actually nope I have a young SON I was rocking to sleep dear. So please spare the theatrics, emotion and unreasonableness and see it from both sides. If your son was the one going to prison for something that may have been the biggest mistake of his life and he TRULY was remorseful, how then would YOU feel? You people sit here and act like you haven’t made mistakes. And let’s be honest even more of you are PRIVILEGED Bermudians who simply know nothing about the struggle this island and it’s young people are facing. So take your sitting on a soapbox bs somewhere else! Eye for an eye leaves us all blind!!! And notice all responses revert back to talking about yourselves!! You aren’t him so how YOU feel, what YOU would or would not do….all that don’t mean jack ish!! Courtroom ain’t about opinions!

    • Double Standards says:

      My demons do not result in someone being stabbed multiple times until they are deceased…

    • Fruity says:

      Annoying still but respected for sure. Very true statements Ms Lisa

    • Fruity says:

      I agree with those angry, and it does sound weird/wrong but she (Lisa) is stating some truthful facts as silly as it sounds.
      *If you know a bit about our justice system.

  20. Victor says:

    Rot in hell little s@&t.

  21. Mr. White #ProudToBeBermudian says:

    As it seems most of you people are ignorant to the law in your own country. As it is a sad situation for Malcolm Outerbridges family based on British law it is a fairly harsh enough sentence. The hardest part for this sentence lies with Malcolm family and the fact that in 5 years they might be walking down the street and have to walk past the person who killed their son as a free man. However the condition of his parole is fair based on Bermudas size that even if he gets out in 5 years he is on parole for life. And what most of you clearly uninformed people don’t seem to realize is him being on parole any crime he commits can send him back to prison. You people are making noise as only another murder charge would send him back. Being Bermuda is so small it is a fair sentence. Unlike the US where he would’ve been charged for murder as an adult at 15 based on the events of the crime the US is a bigger place so such terms can’t be enforced like they can in Bermuda as in a person being monitored after their release from prison. So u people condemning him for his actions, yes what he’s done was wrong and he’s being punished and most of you on here saying you know better cause your parents taught you this or they didn’t tolerate this need to realize everyone doesn’t have parents. Everything you were taught some people never had access to. That’s why they say it takes a village to raise a child cause no matter how well mannered you raise yours when they walk outside your house their lives are at the hands of the ones they surround themselves with. Whether in this case of a so called friend taking their lives themselves or that childs friends actions that lead to someone else trying to take it. Crime is a lot worse than in Bermuda and until Bermudians get the attitude and fight of yester year they head down a road they’re not built to maneuver. The time where people were aware of what went on around them not only if it involved them, the times when Bermudians were their brothers keeper, instead now a lot approach life with the what can you do for me and what have you done for me lately mentality. In the end Bermuda has seen darker days and still is what she is today so to give up hope is to put your weakness on display.

  22. cousin says:

    @ Come correct – you need to pay attention before you start running your mouth. Malcolm Outerbridge, THE VICTIM, the person who was murdered’s parents and sister were given the opportunity to speak and expressed their thoughts you moron. When have you ever heard of the family of the defendant being able to speak about anything?

    • Truth is killin' me... says:

      Hey cuz…he’s no longer a defendant…he’s a MURDERER and a guilty one at that!!!

    • Come Correct says:

      Thanks for the name calling, yea I should have payed more attention reading it but if you have a mouth you can say what you like, you can get in trouble for using it but you don’t need permission to open it. In almost every case you read about the guiltys family expressing dissatisfaction with the sentence, moron.

  23. Islander says:

    I remember the case in England where two young boys under 12 abducted and killed a toddler: they were among the youngest persons ever convicted of murder in England, which allows children as young as 10 to stand trial, the same as adults, in open criminal court proceedings. But in cases involving children up to the age of 14, the prosecution faces the additional burden of proving the children were capable of knowing they were doing something wrong. In passing sentence, Judge Moreland acknowledged his own dismay over the senseless brutality of the killing…….

    Comments from one of the boys lawyers – in his view it will be extremely difficult for the boys to ever readjust and live a normal life. He comments:‘They have been in custody since they were ten, they will probably be released at 18 or 19. It’s going to be very difficult for them because, rightly or wrongly, they are going to be released having been deprived of all normal things that children in their formative years experience – dating, going to football matches and pop concerts. I describe them as battery hens and I think that when they come out and have to face normal things in life, I don’t think that they are going to find it easy to cope… As I’ve said before, their sentence starts on the day that they are released.’

    They were convicted in November 1993, and ordered to serve a minimum sentence of 15 years. The boys were separated and have been held in secure units for the past seven and a half years. Early in 2000, the Lord Chief Justice ruled that the boys’ tariff was over with immediate effect. The pair now awaits parole board decisions before they, and their immediate families, can assume false identities and attempt to make a new life for themselves.

    • Tommy Chong says:

      The two in the case you mention were released in 2001 & have since been in & out of prison for other crimes. People who commit such heinous acts should never be released. A tree that grows with a bend in it will remain bent forever.

  24. Worker says:

    pathetic! bda justice system is a big joke, life in prison for taking a life or bring back the death penalty, thats the only way fair justice is served not a slap on wrist at the cost of my tax dollars get up to the times bda. 25 to life in the states

  25. Tommy Chong says:

    The UK’s laws for child criminals are a joke & we have now become the punchline of that joke. This type of sentencing for the ten year olds who murdered James Bulger has not straightened them out & neither will it straighten out Codrington. Imprisonment for the rest of his life is the only proper solution because there is no true way back from evil.

  26. Kindley says:

    He was a teenager, but the crime was murder. He should never be eligible for parole.

  27. R U Serious says:

    I have not cursed for nearly twenty years…….reading this article almost made me break that twenty year control!!!

    What a load of nonsense!!!

    Judge should have allowed him to answer Malcolm’s father’s question “Why did you do it”???

  28. Kathy says:

    7 years for a life???????????????…..he made a stupid choice and it should be life for a life! Yes, it is easy to judge but we cannot put our hands on ANYONE for ANY REASON!!!

  29. God 1st says:

    @Come Correct

    Cousin is correct this time around. You need to pay attention.

    • Now that this is Bermudas first 15 year old murderer!!perhaps the government or who ever is in charge see what is the legal point of convicting under age people as adults..As we know these thugs are getting younger every year, shooting, stabbing etc..To stab and kill someone over 20 times a total beast at any age..Put your position in that of the family,they will never see there son again, wile the murderer is eating three square meals a day, dental and all paid for by the tax payer!!get real Bermuda, instead of just writing theses blogs day in a day out, take to the streets , let your MPs know how you feel,,Meanwhile monthly shooting happen and it is okay as long it does not happen to me or my family..