Photo: Shane Bennett, sentenced
by Roy Davis (freelance writer)
DANGRIGA TOWN, Stann Creek District, Wed. Feb. 7, 2024
In a sentence she handed down today at the High Court in Dangriga, Justice Antoinette Moore sentenced Shane Bennett, 43, to life imprisonment for the murder of Anthony Parks.
She stipulated that Bennett is to serve 25 years, less 4 years, the time he spent on remand, before he will be eligible for parole.
Parks, 37, a resident of Independence Village, was shot multiple times at his home about 6:30 Wednesday morning on January 22, 2020.
Bennett was first charged with attempted murder but when Parks succumbed to his injuries, the charge was upgraded to murder. Parks was at home with his girlfriend when Bennett went to his house and called out his name. When Parks went outside, Bennett shot him in his chest, back and leg. Parks’ girlfriend, alarmed by the gunshots, went outside and threw bottles at Bennett, and Bennett fired shots at her but they missed. Parks was admitted to ward at Southern Regional Hospital where he died.
Bennett went on the run after the incident, but was caught by the police shortly afterwards.
Bennett was convicted on April 26, 2022, at the High Court in Dangriga. Immediately after Justice Moore announced the verdict, Bennett bolted from the dock and ran out of the courtroom. However, he was apprehended by the police shortly afterwards.
The Crown was represented at the sentencing by Senior Crown Counsel Javier Chan.