Shineka Gray’s aunt not taking eyes off her killer

Nickeda Gray has vowed to keep a close eye on Gregory Roberts, the man who was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering her niece Shineka Gray, to see if he will appeal his conviction.

Roberts, who murdered 15-year-old Shineka in 2017, was sent away for life last Friday in in the St James Circuit Court. He will have to serve a minimum of 42 years, nine months, and 21 days behind bars before he becomes eligible for parole. "He has a right to appeal, but whenever he does that, I will be right there under his tail. Whatever he wants to do, that is him, he has the right to do it, but whatever comes we will deal with it," Gray told THE STAR after the sentencing. That sentence, which was handed down by presiding High Court Justice Bertram Morrison, was initially for 50 years, but the seven years, two months, and nine days, which Roberts spent behind bars, pending the outcome of the trial, was shaved off.

The evidence against Roberts stated that he stabbed Shineka 19 times on the night of January 29, 2017, and then dumped her body in bushes in Irwin, St James. The body was found three days later. During the sentencing hearing, the judge cited several aggravating factors which were used to calculate the prison time. They included the fact that Roberts had two previous convictions for simple larceny and escaping custody, and the fact that he had video recorded having sex with the underage Shineka before killing her.

Gray praised the work of the police and the prosecutors in getting the conviction.

"I just want to say a big thanks to everybody who made sure this was carried out," she said. "We can sleep now, somewhat, as we just have to see how we are going to move forward with the memories of Shineka and everything, but we are glad that they gave him what he deserved."