In a landmark ruling at Barbados’ No. 3 Supreme Court, Justice Carlisle Greaves has imposed a life sentence with a 40-year tariff upon 26-year-old Kishon Lemar Anderson Thomas for the 2017 murder of 58-year-old Colleen Payne. The sentencing concludes an eight-year judicial process surrounding the brutal killing that occurred at a Royal Bank of Canada ATM on University Hill, St. Michael.
Justice Greaves characterized Thomas as a ‘dangerous, conniving, manipulative individual’ requiring prolonged societal protection. After accounting for 633 days spent on remand and a 24-month reduction for procedural delays, Thomas will serve 36 years at Dodds Prison before parole eligibility.
The court established that Thomas and an accomplice were stalking ATM users for robbery opportunities when he shot Payne as she withdrew funds for her church. Justice Greaves emphasized deterrence as a critical sentencing factor, noting that thousands of citizens and visitors rely on ATMs at all hours without fearing violent criminal acts.
A perplexing aspect emerged during proceedings: Thomas came from privileged circumstances with relatives claiming he ‘lacked nothing’ and was even purchased a vehicle while on bail for the murder. Justice Greaves observed this case demonstrates how privilege doesn’t preclude criminal behavior, citing Thomas’s documented association with criminal elements in Black Rock despite repeated family warnings.
The human toll was articulated by victim’s sister Ella Noelle, who revealed the murder triggered a family tragedy extending beyond Payne’s death. Their ill father succumbed to grief within weeks, followed by their mother’s death one year later, still mourning their daughter’s loss. In an extraordinary statement of forgiveness, Noelle expressed hope Thomas would ‘find a relationship with God,’ believing her sister would have wanted the same.
Thomas maintained his innocence from the dock while acknowledging sympathy for the life lost. The prosecution was led by Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Krystal Delaney, with defense representation by Andrew Pilgrim and Sian Lange.