Double murder accused pleads guilty to killing man during robbery
A man, who is facing two murder charges has pleaded guilty to one of them. Joshua Meredith, 27, was arraigned before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Friday for the October 2016 murder of 25-year-old Gregory Garraway. The murder accused opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter, thereby admitting that he unlawfully killed Garraway of Charlestown, Georgetown. He returns to court on December 16, 2020 for presentation of probation report and sentencing.
According to the facts, on the day in question, Garraway, who was wearing two gold chains around his neck, was at Wings and Things Bar on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown. Garraway had gone into the bar to place an order. As he was crossing the street to pick up the said order, Meredith, who was armed with a gun, snatched his chains, and fired a shot at him. Meredith was subsequently pointed out at an ID parade by Garraway’s brother. At the time of the robbery, Garraway’s brother was standing about five feet away from him. An autopsy revealed that Garraway sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen and died as a result of septic shock.
During today’s court hearing, Meredith’s lawyer, Adrian Thompson asked the court to temper justice with mercy. The lawyer claimed that his client is the product of a bad childhood and was influenced by persons of questionable character Georgetown community where he grew up. Thompson told the court that his client has expressed remorse for his actions and plans to change his life. Meredith and another man, Colvin Johnson are charged with the murder of Paul Rodney, a West Ruimveldt resident.
Based on reports, Rodney, 29, was shot dead on November 21, 2016 outside the East Ruimveldt Secondary School. He was shot seven times about the body during an argument between him and two other men. In 2013, Meredith was charged with robbing a woman at gunpoint of $135, 000 cash and a quantity of gold jewellery.