WE sisters get suspended sentences after hiding murder weapon
A High Court judge has handed down suspended prison sentences to two sisters, Teffiny Smith and Tyann Smith, after they pleaded guilty to ‘Assisting Offenders’ in connection with a major robbery-murder case.
The sisters were first arraigned on the charge in January 2023 and initially pleaded not guilty. However, they changed their pleas to guilty in March 2023 after agreeing on the facts with the Crown. Both expressed remorse during court proceedings and requested leniency.
On April 20, 2021, police executed a search warrant at a West End residence linked to the robbery and murder. During the search, officers found a black banana-clip-shaped magazine hidden in a bedroom closet shared by Teffiny and her boyfriend. Upon discovery, Teffiny denied ownership, stating, “Not mines. I don’t know about it,” and was arrested.
CCTV footage reviewed by police showed both sisters moving a bag from the bedroom to the living room and then outside. Tyann admitted to handling the bag and helping move it but claimed she did not realise it contained a firearm until the police found the magazine. She denied knowing the weapon had been used in the robbery-murder. Teffiny told detectives she panicked and moved the bag after seeing the gun and didn’t want the police to find it in the house. The women later returned to the apartment without the weapon, which has not been recovered to date.
During sentencing, the judge highlighted several aggravating factors: the seriousness of the offence, the presence of a firearm, and the sisters’ role in concealing it. However, the court also considered mitigating factors, including the sisters’ young age, lack of prior convictions, genuine remorse, cooperation with police, and prospects for rehabilitation.
Teffiny, who had recently graduated as valedictorian, had plans to attend college and start a business. Tyann, now a mother, said she had embraced religion and expressed intentions to open a small enterprise.
After considering a reduced discount for late guilty pleas, time already served, and strong personal mitigation, the judge calculated Teffiny’s sentence at 131 days and Tyann’s at 149 days. Both sentences were suspended for one year on the condition that they do not commit any further imprisonable offences during that time.
Background
The case stems from an April 18, 2021, attack in Paraquita Bay, where Catherine Pickering was fatally shot in the head and chest at her home. The shooting occurred just moments after her daughter, Maricel Pickering, was ambushed and robbed in their driveway after closing Big Brother’s Gas Station, where she worked as a manager.
According to Maricel’s testimony, she had just exited her car when she heard a voice demand, “Give me the money.” Gunshots followed, prompting her to throw a bag of cash and run for cover. When the gunfire ceased and the assailant fled on a motorcycle, she discovered her mother inside the house with gunshot wounds.
Catherine Pickering was later pronounced dead at the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital.
Teffiny’s boyfriend, Akeem Hopkinson, was sentenced in March 2025 to 32 years in prison for Pickering’s murder.
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shameful, these people got off too easy
This is old news and when you all putting up things on people make shore is the right thing because the girls was not involved in that mess it was one of there boy friend..find out what they where changed with..because if I was in there position I would have done the same thing and the shooter walk free talk that
Your defense isn’t loyalty, it is loud, misplaced stupidity wrapped in emotion.
Your position is understood. You cannot spell and donot know the difference between there amd their, so you would support nonsense.
Find out what happened first before you talk what you done know.. the news is not always right ..Tortola people quick to talk
The real shooter Got off and this is what you all choose to bring for people to read (girls that was not even included in the matter)well sah …
I’m a family friend of the girls , I’m not shame to say it . It’s been 4 years these girls have moved on with their lives and here comes bvi news posting, don’t yall have nothing to post anymore you have to bring back old news . Why don’t you guys post the fact that y’all let the killer and planner of the robbery and murder off , YES the street talks ! Shame on you BVI NEWS .
They moved on with their LIVES, but she has no more LIFE to live! A life cut short with the help of these agents of death! In some ways I still feel like I’m back in 2021, still replaying everything…still feeling an immeasurable loss!
I will keep singing it.
Just legalise guns in this place.
Level the playing field.
Some ayou out there laughing up and sleepng with the biggest Criminals but it’s alright because y’all big in society. Let the girls progress with their lives and prove themselves. Find Real news to post, chupes!
Is ur mumma get murder? Dem moved on it’s been long? What dung ur talking?
Who dead R.I.P. Let them rise again in Heaven. Sound like you think you can bring them back. But this ain’t going help
Good old law and order LOL so they willingly hid a weapon that might still be out there somewhere. Them well know what they doing!!
Why is this relevant news after all these years???
Does the BVI not believe in second chances? If it were the family of those speaking negative they would be glad that they got off to change their life. Get a grip people
There is no will to curb crime and murders in the VI. Wow. Who is helping these people??
And valedictorian mehson… I tell Aya these women who doing good in schools and have book sense and working at good office jobs and government jobs are dealing with some very low life dudes. Imagine a gun man have access to government records of you and your family cuz some girl working there love badman
We have miss bvi and women who in position of role models for youths out here giving up them body to thugs and out dressing scandalous in them night life or shaking them bottom on fast boats…. Them look pretty, professional and well mannered in there official photos but when them off away from the public eye they turn into animals with no home training
Y’all need to change the culture before it’s too late. Right the culture saying love criminality, love badman, love sex drugs and alcohol. If you not doing that you’re not “cool”
AND IF IT HURTS YOU THEN GO READ WHSTS ON THE FAKE NEWS THAT IS USUALLY CREATED ON THE RACIST YELLO SITE BY JUDGE WIGGIE , WHO THEN COMES ON THIS SITE CRITICIZING IT , WITH YOUR NEGATIVE BLOGGS BUT STILL CANNOT KEEP KEEP OFF IT
HAS SHOWN. THAT YOU ALL IS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THOSE HOLY SISTERS / STRANGELY AN INNOCENT HUMAN BEING WAS BRUTALLY ROBBED AND KILLED , BUT NONE OF YOU DIDN’T READ THAT PART , BET IF IT WAS YOUR MOM OR SISTER YOU ALL WOULD OF BEEN SINGING A DIFFERENT STORY
So how is this gonna help?
Over the holiday, nothing to see here same old F&F bull
They ain’t got no work to do lol
May she rest in Peace. But this isn’t going to bring her back
The boy done get 30 years with no solid evidence, no murder weapon nothing. That ain’t good enough for y’all? And if he appeals that case and gets off you people will go crazy then. Stop trying to be God. Revenge is the Lord’s.
R.I.P.