Murder sentencing of Dante Brooks pushed back to March 19

March 19 has been set as the new sentencing date for Dante Brooks, the teenage son of dancehall deejay Mavado, who was found guilty of murder, illegal possession of firearm, and arson.

Brooks, 18, was scheduled to be sentenced in the Home Circuit Court today, but it was pushed pushed back after his attorney, Peter Champagnie, asked for a postponement after indicating that he needed time to peruse the social enquiry report which was served on him this morning and for the prosecution to make adjustments to the victim impact statement.

Brooks and another man, Andre Hinds, were found guilty in January.

Hinds was also charged with murder, illegal possession of firearm, and arson.

The two were arrested and charged in connection with the home-invasion killing of Lorenzo Thomas in the St Andrew community of Cassava Piece on June 5, 2018.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Brooks and his co-accused Andre Hinds, were among five men who entered the house and shot Thomas before pushing his father into another room.

Thomas’ killers attempted to sever his head, but aborted that plan because the machete was too dull.

They then poured gasoline on the house and body before setting them on fire.

Prosecutors relied on the eyewitness testimony of Thomas’ father, who indicated that he knew his son’s killers from the community.

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