Cocoa Piece killer not giving up on murder appeal, to get new lawyer

Cocoa Piece killer Rushane Barnett, who is appealing his conviction for the mass  murder of his five family members, is to get new legal representation.

This after his previous attorney Kemar Robinson came off the case after Barnett insisted that he would not give up on his appeal despite Robinson's advice that there was no basis on which he could challenge the sentence that it was manifestly excessive.

When the matter was called up in the Court of Appeal last Friday, Robinson told the court that when he looked at the transcript the judge followed the proper sentencing procedures.

He said he advised Barnett, 25, accordingly but he wished to pursue his appeal and therefore he further advised him that he could get another lawyer to represent him.

The court then adjourned the matter and gave Barnett time to get another lawyer of his choice.

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Barnett pleaded guilty in the Home Circuit Court in July 2022 to five counts of murder.

In October 2022, Justice Leighton Pusey imposed five concurrent life sentences and ordered that Barnett must serve 61 years and eight months before he can be eligible for parole.

The deceased were shopkeeper Kemesha Wright, 31, and her children Kimanda Smith, 15, Sharalee Smith, 12, Rafaella Smith, 5, and 23-month-old Kishawn Henry Jr.

They were found inside their home at Cocoa Piece, Clarendon on June 21, 2022 with chop wounds and their throats slashed.

Barnett, who is from Wilson Run in Trelawny, was living with his cousins when the massacre took place.

Barnett confessed that he committed the cruel act because Wright had disrespected him because he had served a customer at her shop.

- Barbara Gayle