A judge yesterday sentenced Ellison Smith to life in prison for the murder of Free National Movement (FNM) Cabinet Minister Charles Virgill.
Smith, who denied his involvement in the murder during an interview with probation officer Lisa Bowleg, continued those denials yesterday, telling Senior Justice Jon Isaacs that he was innocent.
Virgill’s murder occurred during a kidnapping and armed robbery. Smith had to be resentenced to comply with a recent Privy Council decision that found the mandatory death sentence unconstitutional.
Justice Isaacs told Smith that his crime was heinous and he deserved the most condign punishment. Justice Isaacs pointed out that Smith still had hope of having his sentenced commuted by the Perogative of Mercy. Smith could not receive the death penalty at his resentencing because he has spent more than five years on Death Row.
In 1999, Smith and Anthony Evans were sentenced to death for killing Virgill, who sat as a member of Cabinet during the FNM’s second term in office. His body was found in a wellfield behind the Bahamas Electricity Corporation on Soldier Road on February 15, 1997. According to the evidence, Virgill’s attackers accosted him outside his condominium on West Bay Street and forced him into his car.
Smith and Evans have spent almost 14 years in prison. Evans was resentenced to life in prison last month.
Wayne Munroe appeared for Smith at the sentencing hearing and Ambrose Ambrister appeared for the Crown.
By ARTESIA DAVIS
Nassau Guardian Senior Reporter
