Psychiatric evaluation for man who pleaded guilty to murder
BLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth — The sentencing of 26year-old Jermaine Miller of Hopeton in Manchester, who had previously pleaded guilty to killing his former girlfriend, 27-year-old Nevia Sinclair, at her parents’ home on January 12 last year, was set aside when he appeared in the St Elizabeth Circuit Court yesterday.
This, as the defence, represented by attorney Richard Lynch, requested that a psychiatric evaluation be done to determine Miller’s mental status.
The request took both the prosecution, which was led by Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jeremy Taylor, QC, and presiding High Court Judge Justice Evan Brown by surprise.
Responding to Lynch’s request, Taylor argued that at no time during appearances in the Michaelmas Session last year or the present Hilary Session, or when the matter was before the parish court, was there any issue regarding Miller’s mental status.
He questioned whether this was a ploy by the defence to seek a plea on the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Justice Brown said that, while he was aware of the possible negative impact on the grieving family, he considered it fair that the request of the defence be upheld.
He then stated that Miller’s guilty plea would be vacated and that the case will be mentioned on July 25 in the Easter Session of the St Elizabeth Circuit Court.
Miller had pleaded guilty to the charges of burglary and murder on March 16 when he appeared in the St Elizabeth Circuit Court.
He was charged on January 17, 2020 with burglary and murder after being questioned by the Santa Cruz police.
It was reported that sometime before 11:00 pm on January 12, Miller drove from his home at Hopeton in Manchester and went to Sinclair’s parents’ home in Brinkley, St Elizabeth, where he broke into the house through a window and stabbed her while she was asleep.
He escaped from the house through a back door after family members heard strange sounds and went to investigate.
It was also reported that hours later, Miller called Sinclair’s home to inquire about her condition.
Miller was turned over to the Santa Cruz police by his father on January 13 as news began to circulate that Sinclair had been killed by her former lover.
It was reported that Sinclair had decided to end an abusive relationship with Miller.