By Janelle Christie
Family members of a 20-year-old woman, who was slain by her ex-lover in the town of Ocho Rios, last December, are somewhat relieved, after a sentence was handed down to the man who claimed the woman’s life.
Twenty-one-year-old Ryan Edwards, of Steer Town,St Ann was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of his ex –lover,20-year-old Alisa Garey, of Ocho Rios.
Edwards, whose guilty plea came on Friday, October 20, in the St Ann Circuit Court, must serve 15 years in prison before he is eligible for parole. The sentence was handed down by high court judge Justice Dale Palmer two weeks later, on Friday, November 3. The sentencing was scheduled for November 2, but could not be reached on that day.
Edwards was charged after he stabbed his ex-lover to death, just moments after she had gone to the Ocho Rios Police Station, to make a report about him on Wednesday, December 14, 2016.
It was alleged that Garey was walking along the roadway in the vicinity of champion supermarket, in Ocho Rios, in the company of her mother.
An altercation developed between Edwards and one of the females. This was when Edwards pulled a knife from his waist and stabbed Garey.
Edwards then attempted to escape in nearby bushes but was apprehended by the police.
Garey succumbed to her injuries at the hospital shortly after.
MISSED BY FAMILY
Family members of the deceased, Garey says, they are glad that justice,was served, although she (Garey) will not be brought back.
Garey’s grandmother, Laney McFarlane told The North Coast Times that the family still hasn’t come to terms with the loss of Garey, who she described as ‘dependable’ and as a ‘mentor’.
“Life has never been the same and will never be the same. Even though she was young, she was a woman. She was everything to everybody; a big sister, and like a mother to her siblings. She was her mother’s best friend,” McFarlane said.
Ms McFarlane also said Garey would prepare dinner every evening before she came home. “I know I could come home to my dinner and everything clean and her siblings well taken care of,” McFarlane told The Times.
Ms McFarlane recounted some occasions on which she asked Garey to go out and work for her if she was unable to. McFarlane said Garey was never hesitant and was always willing to help.
Garey’s death has not only affected the adults but has impacted her younger siblings, ages two and three. According to McFarlane, counselling is soon to be sought for the children who “keep asking for Lisa (as Garey was affectionately called) and crying”. She also noted other ways in which at least one of the children’s behavior has changed since the incident.
Garey is survived by six siblings, two of which are older.
REACTION TO THE SENTENCE
Garey’s family, which is also coping with another loss at this time, is satisfied with the court’s decision.
Although they (Garey’s family) had initially hoped for 35 years before parole, for various reasons, they think that justice has been served.
McFarlane, who says she is a Christian, had no ill wishes for Edwards. “All we have to do is keep praying for him and hope that he will learn from his mistake,” she said.
