Gabb, found guilty of murdering Nolan Arana, 30, was immediately sentencedto life in prison by Justice Gonzalez

This evening, Alwin Gabb, 45, was found guilty of killing Nolan Arana, 30, and immediately sentenced to life in prison by Justice John “Troadio” Gonzalez.

At 7:00 p.m. on July 1, 2007, Arana went to the house of a co-worker to get some food when Gabb, the ex-common law husband of the woman, arrived at the house. The woman, who was the main witness in the trial, told the court that as she was passing the food to Arana over the rail of the house verandah, Gabb approached Arana and told him that it was his fault that his woman was disrespecting him.

Gabb then started to punch Arana, who picked up his bike and attempted to shield himself from the blows. After punching Arana, Gabb then pulled out a knife and began to stab Arana, who fell to the ground during the struggle.

Arana was stabbed seven times in his upper chest and back, and succumbed to his injuries on July 6, 2007.

Five witnesses testified on behalf of the Crown, which was represented by Leeroy Banner and recent addition to the DPP’s office, Kileru Awich.

Another of those witnesses was the arresting officer, Sgt. Nicholas Polonio, who testified that when Gabb turned himself in to police custody, he gave an oral confession to him that he stabbed Arana in self-defense.

Sgt. Polonio also testified that after making that oral statement, Gabb directed the police to a house on Central American Boulevard, where the murder weapon was retrieved.

Gabb, who was represented by attorney Carlo Mason, did not testify, but in his dock statement, he told the court that he never gave such a statement to Sgt. Polonio. He also told the court that at the time of the stabbing, he was at his house on Dolphin Street, and was nowhere near the scene.

The twelve-member jury took just over two hours to deliberate and returned with a unanimous guilty verdict.

After Gabb learned his fate, Justice Gonzalez asked him if he needed time to get witnesses to speak of his character and prepare his mitigation plea, but Gabb told the court that he wished to be sentenced immediately.

Justice Gonzalez then sentenced Gabb to spend the rest of his life in prison.