The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN convicted of attempted murder and two counts of armed robbery has been sentenced to 30 years in jail.

However, Inga Trotman, the victim of the near-fatal shooting who is now paralysed for life, told The Tribune that 31-year-old Tamiko Arthur deserved more for what he did to her on April 17, 2010.

Ms Trotman had stopped to ask for directions when she could not find her colleague’s home in Pinewood Gardens.

Evidence revealed that Arthur agreed to help her find a church in the area.

He got into the driver’s seat of her vehicle, but instead of driving to the church, he put a gun to Trotman’s back and pulled the trigger before leaving the woman to die as he pulled off in the car a friend had loaned her.

Trotman was left paralysed and the bullet remains inches away from her heart. A jury unanimously convicted Arthur on July 9.

A request had been made by defending attorney James Thompson II for Arthur to undergo a mental examination after relatives claimed a beating he suffered in 1998, which left him comatose for three months, caused him to suffer personality changes and memory loss.

Yesterday, the report revealed that Arthur was not suffering from any mental illness and was capable of understanding the sentencing process.

Mr Thompson II said: “He continues to maintain his innocence and he maintained his innocence when interviewed by a probation officer.

“I’ve been instructed by Mr Arthur that he intends to appeal the conviction and whatever sentence is imposed.

“Bearing in mind the report, with respect to the interview of the probation officer with his family, they still find him to a be a kind, loving man,” the attorney said.

The attorney concluded by asking the court to bear in mind the report when considering his client’s sentencing.

Prosecutor Linda Evans told the court Arthur had been convicted of serious crimes and that the law should be allowed to takes it course.

Justice Bernard Turner addressed Arthur and noted that he had a number of previous convictions, of which two were similar in nature:

In May 2005, Arthur was convicted of firearm and ammunition possession and sentenced to two years in jail.

In 2008, he was find $500 or faced a three month prison term for a conviction on attempted stealing and assault with a deadly weapon.

“At the time of the commission of the offence, you were 28 years old and turned 29 a month later. So you’re still a young man even though you don’t have an unblemished record,” Justice Turner said. “But these are particular offences that have a connection to the current offences,” the judge said, adding that Arthur had graduated to armed robbery with a firearm and attempted murder.

The judge recognised the impact the attack had on the victim, Ms Trotman, saying that she was now bound to a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

“I note that no remorse has been expressed with respect to the life changing injuries of Ms Trotman. And I note that through your counsel, you maintain your innocence,” the judge said.

Justice Turner said that the maximum penalty for both armed robbery and attempted murder was life imprisonment.

However, bearing in mind the convict’s age, probation report, psychiatric report, victim impact and the nature of the offences, he sentenced Arthur to 20 years jail on both counts of armed robbery and 30 years for attempted murder. He said the sentences were to run concurrently.

After the hearing Ms Trotman, assisted by relatives, left court and told The Tribune: “I’m totally disappointed. I expected him to get life imprisonment for what he did. I mean, what happened to me, my life is basically finished. I don’t think it’s really fair. It’s not fair. It really isn’t fair at all.” said Ms Trotman.

She said she didn’t feel justice had been served because her life and dreams, including going to school in January, had been wrenched away from her by Arthur.