Man from Bermuda jailed for 35 years on account of cricket club murder

In one of the shocking news from Bermuda, a High Court judge has sentenced a man to 35 years in jail on the charges of killing a person in 2018 outside a cricket club. The deceased named Ronniko Burchall was shot in the head by the alleged guilty Taaj Muhammad after a Christmas party in 2018.

The convict was given a life sentence on April 22 (Friday) for what was termed as the “public execution” of Ronniko Burchall by the prosecutors. Taaj will at least serve 25 years for the murder before even applying for parole.

Judge Juan Wolffe stated that the senseless killing had left the victim’s family devastated emotionally and also contributed to the increase of gun violence in the community. Justice Wolffe also ordered Taaj to serve a consecutive 10-year sentence for having possession and using the illegal gun to commit the crime. An 11-member jury including six men and five women found the convict guilty by a unanimous verdict.

The victim was rushed to the hospital but died the next day

In earlier hearings, the court was told that Burchall (30 years)  was shot in the head at a very close range as he left a Christmas party at a local Cricket Club on December 29, 2018. Burchall was admitted to the hospital but died from his injuries the next day.

“There is no way to overstate that this was a heinous crime committed at point-blank range. Equally disturbing is not only the effect the act has had on the deceased, but on the family members,” Justice Wolffe said during the hearing as quoted by Jamaicaobserver.com

Burchall’s family, which was present during the hearing, said that they are still emotionally damaged by the loss of the father of two.

A former partner of Muhammad Taaj told the court that his boyfriend had carried out the shootings and he had confessed himself about the matter. Meanwhile, the representative attorney of Taaj said that an appeal against the decision had already been launched.