Relatives jubilant as Shineka Gray’s accused killer found guilty

The relatives of Shineka Gray, the 15-year-old Green Pond High School student who was stabbed to death in 2017, were barely able to hold back their jubilation as the teen's accused killer was found guilty of her murder in the St James Circuit Court on Wednesday.

Nickeda Gray, the young schoolgirl's aunt, sobbed seconds after the seven-member jury told presiding High Court Justice Bertram Morrison they had found defendant, Gregory Roberts, guilty.

"I am tired, I am weary, but even though I am crying, I am joyful. We are overjoyed," the elder Gray declared in speaking on the family's behalf outside the courtroom.

"I am in total disbelief, but it's the best decision the jurists could have made. We are totally satisfied."

"January 29, 2017 was when she [Shineka Gray] went missing, and from the autopsy we realised that she died the same night. January 29, 2017 was the day, and today is January 24, so we have five days approaching, and we were hoping this memorial would have been a joyful one," Gray added with satisfaction.

Roberts' trial began on November 23, 2023. He was accused of stabbing the teenaged Gray multiple times on January 29. Her body was found three days later in the Irwin, St James community.

The jurors returned their verdict 85 minutes after retiring to the jury room at 11:10 a.m. While the verdict was being announced, Roberts sat in the prisoner's dock bearing a calm expression, before conferring quietly with his attorney, Chumu Parris.

Roberts' sentencing hearing will be relocated to the Trelawny Circuit Court on March 7.

"He stood there, he had a chance to say what it was, and he refused. Maximum of anything, that's what Gregory deserves," said the senior Gray.