Court upholds convictions for Estella’s murder

Kirkland Henry and Larry Ricketts committed ‘horrendous crime’

The two men convicted earlier this year of murdering Estella Scott Robert in 2008 had their appeals dismissed yesterday and their sentences of imprisonment for life affirmed.

The Cayman Islands Court of Appeal said attorneys for Kirkland Henry and Larry Prinston Ricketts had advanced every point that could be advanced. After considering all the arguments, the three-judge panel concluded, they found no grounds for allowing either man’s appeal. Reasons for the decisions will be put in writing and released at a later date.

Court President Sir John Chadwick summarised the offences before giving the decisions. He said Mrs. Scott Roberts had celebrated her 33rd birthday with friends at a West Bay Road restaurant. Returning to her car she was seized by two men who drove her car to a remote area of West Bay.

They bound her with tape and raped her.

Then a plastic bag was taped over her head; she suffocated and died. They completed a robbery they had planned, taking items from her purse and the car, which was then set alight with her body in it. “By any standards, this was a horrendous crime,” Sir John commented.

Henry admitted abduction, rape and robbery, but denied playing any part in placing the plastic bin liner over the victim’s head; he said Ricketts had done that.

Ricketts was arrested and signed an interview admitting his part in causing the death.

They elected trial by judge alone and Chief Justice Anthony Smellie heard the matter in February. Henry’s attorneys argued that he withdrew from what had been a joint enterprise.

Ricketts’ attorneys presented a defence of alibi — that he was not the man with Henry. Ricketts admitted signing the interview but asserted it was not a true account.

Having heard the evidence of police present at the interview, the Chief Justice rejected Ricketts’ account, Sir John noted.

For the appeal, Henry was represented by lead counsel Ian Bourne, instructed by Attorney Ben Tonner. Ricketts was represented by lead counsel Robert Fortune, instructed by Attorney Nicola Moore.

Solicitor General Cheryll Richards was assisted in the appeal by Crown Counsel Elisabeth Lees; for the trial her associate was Crown Counsel Kirsty-Ann Gunn.