The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

COURT of Appeal judges ruled yesterday there was sufficient circumstantial evidence for a jury to conclude that a 26-year-old man tried to rob a popular fast food restaurant.

However, even though Jeremy Kemp’s appeal against conviction for the December 13, 2010, attempted robbery of the Oakes Field branch of Kentucky Fried Chicken was dismissed, Justices Anita Allen, Stanley John and Neville Adderley were of the view his 19-year-sentence was excessive.

Kemp’s attorney Murrio Ducille argued in a previous appearance that no witness had actually identified his client as the perpetrator of the crime and the verdict was unreasonable considering the evidence in the trial.

He also argued that the judge was being unduly harsh when rendering the sentence.

The judges dismissed the appeal against conviction but regarding sentence, found it to be “severe” given the circumstances, and some evidence of Kemp having some mental challenges.

In the end, Kemp was sentenced to nine years imprisonment from the date of conviction.

During the trial, it was claimed Kemp attempted to rob the restaurant while armed with a handgun. Kemp denied the charge against him and maintained his innocence.

Kemp was convicted on July 19, 2012, by a nine-member jury. On September 17, 2012 Kemp was sentenced and initially given 19 years.

However, Senior Justice Jon Isaacs took into consideration that Kemp had spent 20 months on remand in the lead up to the trial and subtracted the time from his actual sentence.

The judge said the sentence, 17 years and eight months, would start from the date of conviction.