Trial in Killing of Jamaican MP Paulwell’s Baby Daughter Moved to 2027
Key Facts
The 2023 killing of a politician’s baby daughter and her mother has drawn national attention in Jamaica for three years. Its trial, due to open on 28 September, has now been pushed back by five months.
Jamaica’s Home Circuit Court set 22 February 2027 as the new trial date for Leoda Bradshaw and her co-accused, The Gleaner reported. The date was fixed on 18 September at a trial-readiness hearing before Justice Vinnette Graham-Allen.
Why This Matters
Phillip Paulwell has represented East Kingston and Port Royal for the People’s National Party since 1997. He is a former energy minister, and the victims include his 10-month-old daughter, Sarayah.
Prosecutors allege Sarayah and her mother, Toshyna Patterson, 27, were abducted from their St Andrew home on 9 September 2023. They allege both were taken to east Kingston, where they were shot and their bodies burned.
Why the Trial Was Delayed
The 28 September date was vacated after prosecutors said co-accused Smith had not been sentenced in July as planned. Smith pleaded guilty in June to two counts each of capital murder, conspiracy to murder, kidnapping and conspiracy to kidnap.
Chief Justice Bryan Sykes postponed his sentencing to consider a legal authority filed by the Crown, The Gleaner reported. Prosecutors told the court the Crown would make the relevant disclosure after Smith is sentenced.
Bradshaw, a former US Navy petty officer, faces two counts each of capital murder, conspiracy to murder, kidnapping and conspiracy to kidnap. The Gleaner has reported that she was in a relationship with Paulwell at the time and shares a child with him.
Her cousin Roland Balfour is charged with two counts each of accessory before the fact to murder and kidnapping. Co-accused Black faces two counts each of murder, kidnapping and conspiracy charges, plus firearms offences.
None of the three has been convicted, and all are presumed innocent until proven guilty. In June, an attempt to resolve Bradshaw’s case through a guilty plea failed over disputed facts, The Gleaner reported.
What Is Not Yet Known
The legal authority that delayed Smith’s sentencing has not been made public. It is not known what the disclosure promised after his sentencing will contain.
Two other men, Richard Brown and Roshane Miller, earlier pleaded guilty to related offences and were sentenced. Bradshaw, Balfour and Black are due back in court for a trial-readiness hearing on 8 February 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is accused in the killing of Phillip Paulwell’s daughter?
Leoda Bradshaw is the alleged mastermind, charged with Roland Balfour and a man named Black. All three are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
When will the trial start?
The Home Circuit Court set it for 22 February 2027. A trial-readiness hearing is scheduled for 8 February 2027.
Sources: The Gleaner, February trial date for Bradshaw and co-accused, The Gleaner, Bradshaw set for September trial after plea talks fail, The Gleaner, sentencing put off for co-accused who pleaded guilty, Wikipedia, Phillip Paulwell
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