Resentencing Ordered For Convicted child Killer

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Privy Council on Tuesday ordered the resentencing of a man serving 50 years for the fatal shooting of a 12-year-old boy in 2003. 

In 2007, Roger Watson was sentenced to death after he was convicted of murder for the January 15,2003 death of Eddison Curtis-Johnson.

Watson fired an assault rifle into the wooden home occupied by the child as a result of a feud he had with the boy’s stepfather.

Eddison, who was watching TV in the living room, was shot in the head.

Watson appealed his conviction and sentence in 2009.

The Court of Appeal substituted the murder conviction of one with manslaughter and imposed the 50-year prison sentence without hearing arguments on an appropriate sentence.

The Privy Council ruled that it was unfair for the Court of Appeal to sentence Watson without getting input from his lawyer.

Additionally, the Court failed to provide reasons for the 50-year sentence and did not take into account the time Watson had spent on remand.