After a long and arduous legal journey marked by multiple trials, justice was delivered today in the case of Kiari Tucker. Following three separate murder trials, of Morlan Steede, Tucker, was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He will be required to serve 25 years before becoming eligible for parole.
Tucker has been in custody since 2018, and that time will be credited toward his sentence. Despite the verdict, Tucker continues to maintain his innocence, and an appeal to the Court of Appeals is currently pending.
Justice Juan Wolffe, who presided over the case, did not hold back in expressing the court’s view on the matter. He remarked on Tucker’s lack of remorse and steadfast claims of innocence, which stood in contrast to the pain and loss suffered by the victim’s family. He spoke with deep empathy for Steede’s daughter of the man who lost his life — a young girl now forced to navigate life without her father. In her victim impact statement the young child who TNN News chooses not to identify said “ I feel sad and mad because I haven’t had a daddy figure for over eight years, also it hasn’t been easy for my mom. It’s difficult to see my class friends with their dads and on Fathers Day it’s hard. Today I needed to be here so I can look the person in the eyes that killed my dad get what he deserves.”
Marlon Steede’s father Ricky Steeds said in his victim impact statement “
Since the murder of my son, Morlan Steede, on November 3, 2017, my life has never been the same. The pain of losing him is something I carry with me every single day. I brought my first-born Jamaican son to Bermuda in hopes of giving him a better life more opportunities, more safety, a brighter future. Never did I imagine that I would have to send him back in a box, taken from this world in the most violent, senseless way. We never got to see him alive again.
Tommy as his father calls him was brutally chased and gunned down like an animal in the street like his life meant nothing. But his life meant everything to me and to so many others. For what reason was he taken? How could someone take the life of someone they barely even knew? He didn’t deserve that. Nobody does.
There is a void in my life that can never, ever be filled. I still struggle with the weight of this tragedy. I live with the “what ifs” every day. I think of him constantly. I miss his voice, his laughter, and that big bright smile that could light up a room. His heart was just as big as that smile he was always so loving, so full of joy.
Tommy was a good son. He was never in trouble, always hardworking, and incredibly supportive of his family.
He took on the responsibility of helping and providing for his loved ones back in Jamaica. He was proud of that. He was a young man with goals, dreams, and so much love to give. His future was taken. Our future with him was taken.
What hurts even more is seeing his daughter grow up without her father. She misses him so much. She talks about him, asks questions, and holds on to the memories she has. She looks more and more like him every day it’s both beautiful and heartbreaking. She should have her daddy here. He should be the one holding her hand, cheering her on, guiding her. Instead, she has to grow up with a hole in her heart, just like the rest of us.
There are no words strong enough to describe the pain of losing a child especially to violence. Every day we are forced to live with a grief that doesn’t get easier. I lost not just my son, but my peace, my joy, and a piece of Tommy, my son —I miss you so much. Rest in peace, my bie. You will never be forgotten.”
In a poignant moment, Justice Wolf addressed the young woman directly, encouraging her not to let this tragedy define her future. “I hope this does not deter you,” he said. “Rather, let it inspire you to do right, be right, and become all that you are capable of being.”
As it stands, Kiari Tucker begins his life sentence today, with a minimum of 25 years to serve before any possibility of parole.
Any content which is considered unsuitable, unlawful, or offensive, includes personal details, advertises or promotes products, services or websites, or repeats previous comments will be removed.
User comments posted on this website are solely the views and opinions of the comment writer and are not a representation of or reflection of the opinions of TNN or its staff.
TNN reserves the right to remove, edit or censor any comments.
TNN accepts no liability and will not be held accountable for the comments made by users.