The two men who shot and killed Detective Sergeant Maurice Shirley in a bar in Spanish Town, St Catherine, nearly eight years ago have been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Mr Justice Lloyd Hibbert ordered that the men must each serve 35 years imprisonment before they can be paroled. The men are 28-year-old Wayne Morris, also called 'Rape', and 25-year-old Dean Reid, also called 'Sampoochie', both labourers of March Pen Road, St Catherine.

Immediately after the sentences were imposed, Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn, who prosecuted the case, issued a new indictment charging the men with five counts of murder. The case has been set for mention on May 9 for the prosecution to determine whether the witnesses are available.

Firearm stolen

Detective Sergeant Shirley was shot dead in a bar in Strathmore Gardens, Spanish Town, in April 2000 and his firearm stolen.

The men gave cautioned statements admitting the role they each played in the murder.

They are now facing charges in connection with the shooting death of Edgar Halstead, Sylvia Halstead, Cassandra Campbell and shop-keepers Evelyn Wee-Tom and Fredericka Wee-Tom. The five were shot dead on March Pen Road on April 21, 2000. A jury, after retiring for more than an hour last month, found them guilty of the murder charge.