Clarke jailed for partner’s murder

Shaniqua Kadeesha Cecilia Clarke has been sentenced to serve a further 19 years and 52 days in prison for murdering her partner after he told her he had met someone else. Clarke, of Helstone Lane, Gall Hill, Christ Church, admitted slaying Devitus Chase between October 18 and 21, 2022. She was 27 at the time. Setting a starting point of 40 years, Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell told Clarke: “Your culpability in this matter is extremely high. I am minded that the seriousness of this offence demands a sentence that is punitive and deterrent. “This was a calculated and deliberate killing motivated by jealousy, anger and a refusal to accept that the relationship between you and the deceased had come to an end. “You devised a plan, lured the deceased to a location where the fatal events unfolded and personally inflicted injuries which contributed to his death.” Clarke was the “mastermind” of the killing, the court said, noting the use of a knife, the multiple stab wounds inflicted on Chase, the fact that the knife was not recovered, and the luring of the victim to the area under the guise of discussing their relationship were all aggravating factors. The fact that the body was dragged and attempts were made to hide it, was also noted by the court, as it also considered the impact of Chase’s death on his family. You Might Be Interested In The 40-year starting point was reduced to account for her guilty plea, the four years she spent on remand, mitigating factors and her plea bargain agreement with the State. This left her with 19 years and 52 days to serve at Dodds Prison. Acting Senior State Counsel Paul Prescod prosecuted the case, while defence counsel Sade Harris represented Clarke. The court heard Clarke and Chase had been in a relationship since 2018. They separated for a few months in 2022 before rekindling the relationship. Clarke became involved with another man and told him about Chase, but did not inform Chase of her other relationship. Chase later told her that he had met someone else and that she should move on with her life, which infuriated her. She told police she had invited Chase to Welches Beach. The other man, whom she had asked to accompany her, was supposed to hide in the bushes while she and Chase talked. She said that, as she and Chase sat on the sand, the other man ran up and began hitting him in the head with a stick. She panicked and stabbed Chase with a knife he carried. (JB)