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Man Gets 18 Years For Pre-Teen’s Murder
posted (March 13, 2019)
Andrew Willoughby was convicted of the murder of 12 year old Daniel Matura in June of last year. Today, he was sentenced to life in prison for the murder. But, under new sentencing guidelines, Justice Marilyn Williams told him that he will be eligible for parole in 25 years, and after she took into consideration that he has been on remand from 2012, the 38 year old's sentence was reduced to 18 years.

Justice Williams heard mitigation pleas from four character witnesses, and also Willoughby and his attorney, Leeroy Banner.

Matura was shot and killed in May of 2012, as he was running across Central American Boulevard, near his home. when was struck by 2 bullets, one to his chest and the other to his arm. He died on the spot.

Willoughby was firing at two gang rivals, Brandon Taylor and Roy Felix, who were riding past Matura's residence. He missed them, but hit the child.

He was convicted of murder by Justice Williams in a trial without a jury - where three eyewitnesses all identified Willoughby as the shooter.

Shortly after the murder, Willoughby gave police a statement admitting that he was the shooter - but at the trial he said police beat it out of him. Still Justice Williams ruled that Willoughby gave the statement without coercion and admitted it into evidence.

The case pivoted on that admission and she found him guilty of murder. At the sentencing the Crown was represented by Senior Crown Counsel Christelle Wilson and Crown Counsel Sheringe Rodriguez.

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