Prisoner charged with murder
(CNS): More than three weeks after his arrest, police say they have now charged 38-year-old Randy Lebert Martin with the murder of Sabrina Schirn. Charged on Thursday, 30 April, with one count of murder, Martin will appear before the Magistrate’s Court today (Friday 1 May). RCIPS detectives had arrested Martin in connection with the brutal murder of 21-year old Schirn, whose body was found in East End near the prison farm on 17 March. Martin, who is serving a seven year sentence at Northward Prison was charged by the Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Kim Evans.
“The RCIPS understands the public interest in this case, however now that it is subject to court proceedings, the Service will not be making any further public comment,” the RCIPS said in a statement. “This is to avoid prejudicing the case and being in contempt of court.”
Since Sabrina was first reported missing the police have been severely criticized for the handling of the case. Speculation that a prisoner on the work release programme at the Wilderness Farm had committed the murder began even before Schirn’s body was discovered. The family and friends of the murdered girl have been vociferous in their condemnation of the way the investigaiton was handled.
So far, there have been no resignations from any senior staff at the prison and no details have been released concerning any enquiries that have been conducted explaining how a prisoner could have committed murder while supposedly working on the farmer under supervision.
In an effort at damage limitation during a pres conference, where both the RCIPS and the Prison Service admitted that a Northward inmate had been arrested, Commissioner for Corrections Dr William Rattray said that the accused, who had at the time not been publically named, was a lowrisk prisoner.
Police have not yet revealed whether they believe Martin could have been abetted or if they think he actedalone.
Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling Crime Stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.
Category: Headline News
I don’t buy this, "How could a one handed man commit this crime" ?????
All over the world people commit crimes whom only have one eye, leg, hand or other physical disability.
In fact some people who only have "half their brain in good functioning order" commit offences although at the end of the day, it is normally ruled by expert evidence that due to diminished responsibility, they did not have the capacity to know at the time what he/she were doing.
To imply/say that because someone has a physical disability and does not have the capacity or cannot be held accountable for any act or ommission, it truly false.
I might add, a one handed man is capable of swinging a machette.
Ever seen the lady whom was born without arms from her shoulder but drives a specialized car with her feet, changes her baby diapers and prepares meals for her family in her kitchen ?????? (Discovery Channel) Many people have the tremendous ability to adapt/compensate for their disabilities and functions normally on a daily basis.
Even locally, does anyone know the Honduran guy from the Bay Islands (Guanaja) who is a great (DJ) Disc Jockey that works or use to, at Country Western Bar next to the Lions Centre ????? He lost both arms/hands next to his ebows in an electrocution accident when he was a kid living in Honduras. I might add, a greater DJ you can’t find in Cayman and he dosen’t have prosthetic arms neither.
Need I say more ?????
To Sabrina’s sibling: While we at CNS fully appreciate your pain and anger at whoever killed your sister and offer our sincerest condolences, I cannot approve comments that assume the guilt of the man charged. We must let the courts decide.
In the interest of this case and comments made with relation to the level of risk placed on Mr. Martin, I think the public needs to be more careful in how they interrupt things they read as the article posted regarding why and what Mr. Martin is currently serving time for DID NOT say that he was found guilty of aggravated burglary because of his actions but rather the actions of the co dependant who was the one with the knife which made the crime aggravated and it went on to say that Mr. Martin was watching the house for some time and waited for the occupant to leave.
In my opinion that’s not someone who has an interest in hurting anyone but rather taking something that’s not rightfully there‘s; you may want to re-read the article again as CNS has made it available simply by clicking on the link in the comment section titled CAYMANIAN COMPASS ARTICLE – I am also of the opinion based on the article that Mr. Martins sentence of seven years was based on the fact that the co-dependant freely gave his recollection of the events whereas Mr. Martin “was advised by his lawyer at the time” not to answer any of the questioned. Also based on the evidence they DID NOT find Mr. Martins finger prints or DNA on the gun as stated in your comment…
At the end of the day this is all irrelevant to the situation he is now facing as he was convicted and is doing his time as imposed by our justice system.
Did you ever stop to think that maybe they classified him as a low-risk prisoner as this was not his first offence and they could see changes in him with that regard?
Have you ever been to the prison facility? I’m sure if you should visit there you would see familiar faces walking freely in the parking lots, working on buildings, painting etc., unsupervised, you may see them as dangerous or feel the prison is taking a risk but for those who work around them on a daily basis clearly don’t see them in the same light that the public does.
Maybe before we jump to conclusions we as a community need think before we speak granted we are entitled to our opinion, however if its not factual then I would have to say we should be more reluctant to add to the stress of this case or any others for that matter.
Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not being insensitive to the situation and agree that at the end of the day no one deserves to die the way she did, nor do we have the right to take another persons life, but in my opinion I would first have to ask the question why he would risk losing everything he has worked so hard to build within the last 3 years that he’s been at the prison, why risk losing his freedom, “is the police seeking another way out?“ as this certainly would not be the first time.
Here is something to think about – the understanding is that Mr. Martin weighs roughly 125lbs, 5’5 and more importantly has 1 functional hand… that to me seems a little far fetched. And again why her? Why now? Why risk losing so much?
The other question I would like to hear answered is “what ever happened to the mystery man that showed up at her work place and threaten her?” Evidently it was not Mr. Martin – so who was it? and why haven’t we heard anymore about him? I’m sure if the police acted when her employer called them she would still be alive.
I’m sorry but from day one this investigation was not handled the right way and I’m of the opinion that at this point the police are looking to blame him, reason being – It is our understanding that he would be up for release within another year or so and considering his record they refuse to have him released back into society granted this would be the wrong way to go about keeping someone in the system but the RCIPS has the reputation for doing a sloppy job and taking know responsibility let alone make any apologies for what we like to call “SLACKNESS”
I’m a strong believer of change and like the other comment said – we can’t understand why Mr. Martin would go from being a thief to being a murderer?!
The question now is “do they have the right person?” and if so, how could a 1 handed man commit such a crime?!
In answer to how could a 1 handed man commmit such a crime? With a machete the right mental state and the element of surprise.
There is a very slippery slope between that of being a thief and a murderer and more than one person has fallen prey to this life of crime. So, it is not impossible for this to have happened and the prisoner to have alledgedly killed her. Could be he had some help as is being speculated.
Irrespective of who killed Sabrina, the question remains. "Why was she in that location at the time of her Murder: :WHY"
When that question is answered mabye we will get a better picture of why she was murdered.
Will the reason justify the cause?
this sound very familiar, 1994 by a school maybe.
Former officers with the RCIPS will tell you that this young man was well known to them but I don’t know if he had a record. I could assume but you know what that does. Did the prison not take that into consideration when they decided to allow him these priviledges (if he is the person who committed this crime)? I guess it’s really just the prison saying that he was not a risk to cover their own you know what. Shame on them all. How do they sleep at night if he did this to her?
To Nicky Watson if you hadn’t read in the News he has been charged for Murder!!!!
What do you think he would have been charged for??????
CNS: He has been charged for murder, he has not been found guilty.
I recently flew to Cayman, not for a vacation sadly to say, but to bury my cousin Sabrina. I am relieved to hear that someone has finally been charged with this outrageous crime.
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My cousin’s life was cruelly taken away from her. Her parents, brothers and sisters and the rest of the familty are heartbroken. Justice needs to be served on each and everyone of the murderers!.
In God we trust.
CNS: Like the restof the community we grieve for your loss but we cannot post comments that assume the guilt of the suspect, even though he has now been charged. As a society, we must rely on the courts of law and not the court of public opinion.
Now we know there is no such thing as "low-risk"
How can a prisioner locked up for possesion of fire arm and aggravated burglery be considered ‘low risk’. If he had a fire arm in the first place doesn’t that show he had some intentions of using it and the police caught him before he was able to use it???????? Come on Prision Service, becareful what you say about low risk prisioners!!
Risk Rating
Its amazing that a person charged with possession of an illegal firearm could be considered "low risk".
I guess Osama Bin Alden would be a low risk prisoner as well.
I know this is a very emotional issue for people but please be very careful when commenting – the suspect has not had his day in court and has not been found guilty.
OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!
"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Deuteronomy 31:6KJV
"For His anger endureth but a moment; in His favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5 KJV
"If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you." Matthew 6:14 NLT
JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED FOR SABRINA IN JESUS NAME!!!!
It’s bad enough you have to be cautious now a days on the streets of cayman, but cant believe you still have to watch out for people who are already put away and suppose to be no more threat to the public.
The man who threatened her at Blockbusters was obviously not a prisoner…..and she wanted to go to East End, not the area where she was found, right?
Well done Cayman Justice System….. patience my fellow Caymanians.. give the system time to work !!! There will be no real winners when all is said and done, but small comfort to be had knowing that the wheels of justice are turning and our paradise is a little bit safer, one inch at a time.
Well thank God! Hopefully Justice will be done for this young lady’s family and friends who have been waiting for this day. I congratulate you RCIPS for solving this one even though their are so many more who have been solved but this does bring some relief.
Does anyone know why he was in prison in the first place? How does a low risk prisoner suddenly want to kill someone? It really makes no sense, but then, life seldom does.
Sincere love and compassion sent to the family and friends of Sabrina. May this tragedy make you all stronger people.
Police responding to an alarm caught one burglar as he was coming out the door and found the other burglar under a bed.
In Grand Court last week, Randy Martin was sentenced to seven years imprisonment and Duane Bodden received six years after pleading guilty to aggravated burglary and possession of firearm ammunition without a licence.
This is from the Cayman Net News Archive.www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=1022998
CNS: Actually it’s a Caymanian Compass article
He is in prison because he broke into the wrong house while the owner was away and was cought red handed by the police under a bed with the owner’s gun.
Thank God!!!!