Security Guard Sentenced to 18 Years for 2017 Murder of Haile Clacken

St. Elizabeth, Jamaica — Shawn Cole, a security guard, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the 2017 murder of 38-year-old Haile Clacken.

The sentence was delivered on Monday in the Home Circuit Court, where it was ordered that Cole would serve a minimum of 10 years before being eligible for parole. Cole was convicted in July after a two-week jury trial.

The fatal incident occurred on June 23, 2017, when Clacken, who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, climbed onto an armored truck operated by Cole. In response, Cole shot Clacken, resulting in his death. The tragedy drew public outrage, as many believed Clacken’s actions were misunderstood and were rooted in mental health struggles.

Clacken’s death has sparked significant discussions about mental health awareness and the treatment of individuals with mental health challenges. Advocates called for increased public education on mental health to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure greater support for those affected by mental health conditions.

Cole had been on bail since his first court appearance in July 2017, set at $1 million, but his conviction and sentencing have now closed the long-standing case.