St. Lucian Man Receives Five-Year Sentence for Grievous Bodily Harm in Dominica

Barbara 18th May, 2024

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On April 13, 2020, St. Lucian national Kasey Kennedy Joseph inflicted thirteen stab wounds on Trisha Valentine and her sister Julisha Dublin. The injuries included 1 cm wide incisions on their thighs, back, thorax, lumbar region, and arms. Valentine suffered a critical laceration to her liver. Joseph was arrested on April 15, 2020.

Joseph appeared before Justice Collin Williams at the High Court on May 15, 2024, for sentencing after pleading guilty a month earlier. Justice Williams explained that the maximum sentence for Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) is ten years. Due to the severity and consequences of the crime, Joseph’s sentence started at six years. This was based on the high seriousness level and the fact that both victims required emergency surgery. The court also considered that the assault occurred in the victims’ home, involved a second attack, and happened in the presence of a small child. However, there was no premeditation confirmed on Joseph’s part.

Justice Williams noted Joseph had no prior convictions in Dominica and no documented offenses in Saint Lucia. Due to his guilty plea, Joseph received a one-third reduction in his sentence, lowering it to four years. An additional year was added for the second count of GBH, resulting in a total sentence of five years from his arrest in 2020.

Justice Williams also addressed Valentine’s refusal to allow Joseph access to their son, recommending the intervention of Social Services to resolve the matter.