Friend killer gets life sentence, to serve 33 years before parole

Willis, who was also handed a 15-year prison sentence at hard labour for wounding with intent, must serve 33 years behind bars before being eligible for parole.

The sentences will run concurrently.

He was found guilty by a five-member jury at the Home Circuit Court on May 31, 2019, after the prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecution Paula Llewellyn, proved that Willis, otherwise called Errol, single-handedly masterminded the heinous crime.

On April 10, 2015, Willis, Thompson and two other men went to steal petrol from a cell tower site situated at Guardsman Serenity Park.

During the heist Willis pulled a gun and shot at the men. Thompson and one of the men were hit, while the other managed to escape unhurt. Thompson was pronounced dead at hospital.

Four days after the crime was committed, detectives attached to the Old Harbour Police CIB were able to nab Willis, who was formerly employed as a security guard at the park.

Following the shooting, it is understood that Willis went to Thompson’s home and informed his relatives that he was shot by security while stealing petrol from the cell tower.

But the other man who was also shot by Willis, turned crown witness and gave a different account of what transpired during the early morning of the day in question.

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In handing down the sentence puisne judge Justice Lorna Shelly-Williams   said based on the evidence presented before the courts, Willis’s criminal intention was premeditated both in its planning and execution.