Sentencing Delayed In Crooked Tree Manslaughter Case

A sentencing hearing for Maurice Usher Jr., the man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of an elderly Crooked Tree resident, has been postponed after the court indicated that several key reports required for sentencing are still outstanding.  Usher Jr. appeared before Justice Derick Sylvester in the High Court yesterday, where the matter was scheduled for sentencing. However, the proceedings had to be adjourned as the court awaits several documents needed to determine an appropriate sentence.  Among the outstanding documents are a Social Inquiry Report (SIR), the convict’s antecedent report, a prison report, and a victim impact statement. Justice Sylvester noted that these reports are necessary to properly assess both the circumstances of the offender and the impact of the crime before sentencing can be imposed.  The court was informed that the reports are expected to be completed by the end of March 2026. In the meantime, Justice Sylvester directed both the prosecution and the defense to file their written submissions by the end of the month. The parties were also instructed to agree on the mitigating and aggravating factors in the case and submit those to the court by March 31.  Additionally, the agreed facts of the case are to be filed on or before mid-March.  Attorney Oscar Selgado, who represents Usher Jr., indicated that the defense intends to call one character witness to testify on behalf of his client during the sentencing phase.  Usher Jr.’s sentencing hearing has now been adjourned to April 14.  The case stems from the death of Geoffrey Crawford, an elderly resident of Crooked Tree Village, whose killing occurred on September 29, 2021, near Mile 31 on the Philip Goldson Highway.  On February 5, Usher Jr. entered a plea of not guilty to murder but guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter, a plea that was accepted by the Crown.  Crawford had initially been reported missing after he was last seen being taken from his Crooked Tree home inside his red Nissan Pathfinder. Concern grew among family members when both Crawford and his vehicle could not be located.  Investigations later revealed that Crawford’s body had been buried in a shallow grave following a public appeal from relatives seeking help to locate the missing senior citizen.  According to information presented in court, a neighbour reported that he assisted two men in jump-starting Crawford’s vehicle, believing they were acquaintances of the elderly man. However, as the vehicle was leaving, the neighbour noticed Crawford lying unconscious in the back seat with injuries to his head. The neighbour then alerted police.  The court is expected to reconvene in April when Justice Sylvester will determine the appropriate sentence after reviewing the required reports and submissions from both sides.