By BARBARA GAYLE, Staff Reporter
KEVIN TYNDALE, OTHERWISE called 'Richie Pooh', was whisked away yesterday under tight security after Mr. Justice Donald McIntosh sentenced him to 30 years imprisonment.
Tyndale was reported to be a notorious member of the Gideon Warrior gang which terrorised many St. Andrew residents for several years .
After an eight-day trial in the Gun Court, Mr. Justice McIntosh found Tyndale guilty of charges of illegal possession of firearm, robbery with aggravation and wounding with intent.
He was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment on each count but the sentences are to run concurrently so he will serve only 30 years imprisonment.
Tyndale, a 29-year-old farmer, of Mount Friendship, St. Andrew admitted to three previous convictions after he was convicted. They were for unlawful wounding, office-breaking and larceny and contempt of court.
Some members of the Jamaica Defence Force stood guard daily at the entrance to the courtroom where Tyndale was being tried, while others surrounded the courthouse.
The Crown, represented by Anthony Armstrong, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, led evidence at the eight-day in camera trial in the Gun Court that about 6.15 p.m. on January 28, 2003, a businessman went to visit a friend in Papine, St. Andrew.
He did not see his friend and while leaving the house he saw Tyndale and another man coming towards him. The men were armed with guns and on Tyndale's instruction, the other man shot the businessman in the back.
SHOT FIVE TIMES
Tyndale then shot the businessman five times and one of the shots caught him in the head. The businessman fell to the ground and while there, Tyndale robbed him of his wallet which contained money, his jewellery and his licensed firearm. The businessman was admitted to hospital for several weeks. Tyndale was subsequently pointed out at an identification parade.
In an unsworn statement from the dock, Tyndale denied committing the offences. He said he was at home at the time of the incident and called his brother to support his alibi.
The judge in sentencing Tyndale said "only God knows why the complainant is alive today." He said perhaps it was to give evidence in the case. The judge told Tyndale that there were no mitigating circumstances in his favour and hoped that he would be rehabilitated while in prison.
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