Convicted murderer Clarence Hemmans, Jr., 20, today was sentenced to life in prison by Justice John “Troadio” Gonzalez.
Hemmans’ attorney, Philip Palacio, says his client is set to appeal the life sentence.
Hemmans was convicted on May 21, 2010, in the Supreme Court of Justice Gonzalez, for the murder of Kevin Arnold, 19, who was walking around the Los Cocos Bar located on Armadillo Street, Belize City, on May, 27, 2007, around 7:30 p.m., when Hemmans rode up on a bicycle, behind the deceased, and shot him ten times with a silver pistol.
Hemmans, while remanded on the charge of murder, was found with almost a quarter of a pound of marijuana on August, 8, 2008. He was subsequently charged with drug trafficking.
Hemmans was also charged with aggravated assault, wounding and use of deadly means of harm with reference to a shooting incident that occurred on March 20, 2006, when an 18-year-old was shot below the left knee by Hemmans, whom he allegedly recognised.
The prosecutor, Crown Counsel Yohhahnseh Cave, did not request the death sentence, which was the other option in sentencing Hemmans.
While Palacio is not appealing the murder conviction, he told Amandala that due to the age of his client at the time of the murder, which was 17, they hope to appeal the life sentence based on the 1462 Indictable Procedures Act.