FAMILY: Murder convict was child of privilege

In a written judgment handed down this month, the High Court has given a summary of the social inquiry report done before it sentenced Kenyatta Boynes to life imprisonment with possible parole after 30 years for the offences of murder and attempted murder.

Justice Nicola Byer noted that, from all reports and based on the information that was available, “it is obvious that this defendant was a child of privilege and opportunities, raised in a family environment that loved him dearly as a beloved son and brother”.

The judge also noted that the social worker concluded that Boynes grew up in “a well-rounded close-knit Christian home”.

She quoted the social worker as saying: “He (Boynes) was nurtured and molded by his parents and taught the trade of a welder from a tender age and… given all opportunities by his parents to make the best out of his life.”

The social inquiry report, which is dated December 14 last year, further noted that Boynes’ family characterized him as being ‘good’.

Father concerned about bad company

However, Justice Byer stated that Boynes’ father was concerned about his choice of friends.

“What the father of the defendant did tell the social worker responsible for preparing the report was that the defendant got sent to boarding school because his grades were not good; neither were his choice of friends,” Justice Byer said in her written judgment.

Meanwhile, turning to a report requested from Superintendent of Prison David Foot, the judge noted that Boynes is described as being well behaved.

“The superintendent has indicated that the defendant Is well behaved and well respected by his peers [at Her Majesty’s Prison] and was seen more as a leader than a follower. He was tested to show that he is well educated and takes part in the regime and activities,” Judge Byer said.

After a two-week trial, a jury, in October last year, found Boynes guilty of murdering Paul Prentice and attempting to murder another man near a car rental business in Road Town on December 14, 2014.

The prosecution led evidence that the man who survived the attack was the target, because a portion of marijuana Boynes had left in his possession was missing. The missing amount was valued at $100, the court heard.

It further heard that Boynes had told the survivor that he knew the marijuana was missing, and that “he would have to pay twice” if he did not pay $600. That statement, the prosecution said, amounted to a threat of violence against the survivor of the gun attack.

Meanwhile, in a different case, Boynes was sentenced in 2015 to nearly seven years imprisonment after he was found in possession of an AK47 assault rifle along with a quantity of explosives and marijuana.

Prior to the cases mentioned above, Boynes was also sentenced for inflicting grievous bodily harm after he broke a man’s jawbone in 2012.

Justice Byer, who also presided over the ‘jawbone’ case, fined Boynes $2,000. He was given two months to pay the fine or, if in default, spend two months at Her Majesty’s Prison. Boynes was also ordered to pay the victim $1,500 or spend six months in prison.