By Breaking Belize News Staff: Thirty-one-year-old Shaquille Perrera has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Darnelle Puerto, with the possibility of parole after serving a minimum of 30 years.
Justice Nigel Pilgrim also sentenced Perrera to 17 years in prison for the attempted murder of Jehvon Ramclam. The sentences will run concurrently and were backdated to December 28, 2023, when Perrera was remanded to prison.
Perrera was convicted on June 5, 2026, for the December 24, 2023 shooting at a Maskall Street residence, where Puerto was killed and Ramclam was shot four times.
In handing down the sentence, Justice Pilgrim considered the legal framework, Perrera’s time in pretrial detention and the aggravating and mitigating circumstances. The judge noted that the shooting occurred during a Christmas gathering at the victims’ home and involved the use of a firearm.
Justice Pilgrim said the attack violated the sanctity of the Ramclam family’s home and appeared to involve a significant degree of planning. He also considered Perrera’s previous convictions for robbery and a firearm-related offence.
During mitigation, Perrera’s mother and sister described him as a loving person who was abandoned by his father and raised by his grandmother. The court also noted that Perrera had committed no infractions while in prison.
Ramclam told the court in a victim impact statement that the shooting left him suffering from constant pain, sleepless nights and fear that he may be targeted again. His injuries have also affected his ability to perform physical work.
At trial, Justice Pilgrim accepted Ramclam’s identification of Perrera as credible, honest and reliable. Ramclam testified that a nearby streetlight allowed him to clearly see Perrera’s face and body during the shooting.
Perrera was represented by attorney Joanna Zuniga-Stewart, while Crown Counsel Kirk Brown led the prosecution.
The post Shaquille Perrera sentenced to life for murder of Darnelle Puerto, eligible for parole after 30 years appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Thirty-one-year-old Shaquille Perrera has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Darnelle Puerto, with the possibility of parole after serving a minimum of 30 years. Justice Nigel Pilgrim also sentenced Perrera to 17 years in prison for the attempted murder of Jehvon Ramclam. The sentences will run concurrently
The post Shaquille Perrera sentenced to life for murder of Darnelle Puerto, eligible for parole after 30 years appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
