On Wednesday, Mwata Henry, a 31-year-old man from Redemption Sharpes currently serving a 40-year sentence for murder, had an additional 23 years, nine months, and 23 days added to his prison term following a sentencing hearing for conspiracy to commit murder.Justice Rickie Burnett handed down a 28-year sentence for Henry’s role in the conspiracy to murder Collrise Pompey. After deducting the four years, two months, and 23 days Henry spent on remand, the effective sentence stands at 23 years, nine months, and 23 days.
This new sentence will run consecutively to the 40-year term he is already serving.Henry’s co-accused, Dwayne Stephens, received a 25-year sentence for the conspiracy charge. With six years, two months, and seven days spent on remand deducted, Stephens will serve 18 years, nine months, and 23 days. Unlike Henry, Stephens is not serving time for any other offense.The convictions stem from a plot to murder Pompey between February 27 and March 2, 2018, in Redemption Sharpes. A nine-member mixed jury found both men guilty on November 8, 2023, but sentencing was postponed pending additional reports.
In his ruling, Justice Burnett noted several aggravating factors: the use of a firearm, which was never recovered, the public nature of the offense, the involvement of a minor, and the defendants’ prior convictions. These factors warranted an increase of three years to the base sentence, resulting in a 28-year term for Henry. There were no mitigating factors for Henry, resulting in no reduction from this increased sentence.Conversely, Stephens received a reduction for his cooperation with law enforcement, including providing detailed evidence implicating both himself and Henry.
This cooperation contributed to a three-year reduction in his sentence, resulting in a 25-year term before remand time was considered.Henry’s initial conviction involved the murder of Jahbarry Charles on January 24, 2018. Charles was shot and killed while celebrating his birthday at the Redemption Sharpes playing field. Henry was originally sentenced to 45 years, later reduced to 40 years after accounting for time on remand. Additional charges of attempted murder related to the same incident and a separate event were withdrawn due to a lack of evidence from the complainants.Both Henry and Stephens were unrepresented at the sentencing. Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Karim Nelson prosecuted the case.
The maximum penalty for conspiracy to commit murder is life imprisonment, while the maximum penalty for murder is death by hanging.