Man Found Guilty of 2010 Murder After 15-Year Legal Battle

Kingston, Jamaica – May 31, 2025 — Steve Dawkins, who has been out on bail for most of the last 15 years and changed attorneys ten times, has been found guilty of murder in the August 2010 killing of Derrick Lord, a resident of Kirk Avenue in St Andrew.

A jury delivered the verdict last Wednesday following a trial in the Home Circuit Court, presided over by Justice Carolyn Tie-Powell. Dawkins is set to be sentenced on June 26.

According to trial evidence, a neighbour heard cries of “Murder, murder, him a kill mi, call the police” and alerted authorities. Police arrived to find Dawkins fleeing from the house, claiming he had been there to steal mangoes—though photos and witness testimony confirmed no mangoes or blossoms were on the trees.

Inside the home, Lord’s body was discovered with his hands cuffed, mouth gagged, and a fatal stab wound to the neck. A post-mortem revealed he died from asphyxia caused by choking on blood. Forensic investigators found blood matching both Dawkins and Lord at the scene, a key piece of DNA evidence that helped secure the conviction.

Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn, KC, highlighted the role of scientific evidence and noted that Dawkins’ repeated attorney changes significantly delayed the trial. Of six police witnesses, only one remains on the force, and one witness testified via video link from the UK.

Dawkins was represented by Kerry-Ann Wilson and Althea Freeman, while the Crown was represented by Acting Deputy DPP Judi-Ann Edwards and Crown Counsel Anita Hall.