Akeem Hopkinson sentenced to 32 years in prison
Hopkinson was sentenced to 32 years in prison by High Court Judge Rajiv Persaud.
He was convicted on all four charges: murder, robbery, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and possession of a prohibited firearm.
Hopkinson was sentenced to 32 years for murder, 19 years for robbery, 17 years for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and 7 years for possession of a prohibited firearm.
With the sentences to run concurrently, Hopkinson will serve 32 years in prison, including time already served.
Brutal murder
Catherine Pickering, 67, was fatally shot in the head and chest with an AK-47 assault rifle in her Paraquita Bay home on April 18, 2021.
The murder occurred during the robbery of Maricel Pickering, and eight individuals, including Hopkinson, were charged with various offences as a result of the incident that night.
Hopkinson was found guilty by a jury on the counts of Murder, Robbery, Possession of a Prohibited Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life.
Shemar Robinson
Shemar Robinson had also pled guilty to Robbery and received a term of five years and nine months, factoring in time served, with the possibility of parole after three years, provided he undergoes counseling.
Meanwhile, Shameel Grant, who was charged with Robbery and Possession of a Prohibited Firearm, was acquitted following the Judge’s ruling to uphold that he had no case to answer.
_01.png)
Follow Us On
30 Responses to “Akeem Hopkinson sentenced to 32 years in prison”
poor thing I hope these youngsters see that liking man will put u in jail!
so please don't say what you don't know.
So, stop trying to differentiate between the two because both would be considered as a CRIMINAL!
Nope a lowlife local cannibal of updeislun a demonic matter as are most from that location.
A cultural habit of the their enjoyment.as evidenced by statistics. In any given year their murder count are more than the BVI population. Other run ofcthe mill robbery burglary violence etc...well who would bother to count..
R.I.P. Mrs. Pickering.
Utter nonsense
Lifetime no parole
No wonder ppl don’t fear the laws
Disparity in sentencing. 19years for same Robbery for one. 5 years for the other. Come on Judge..S**** planned this mess.
this lady was in the home, these punks feel they can do anything and get away and their parents also should be fined for failure to be a effective parent.
if that was my grand mother or mother they would not be walking out the court room so easy, im sorry.
examples need to be made of these want to tugs.
In a time when marriage is increasingly seen as unnecessary, many children are raised in homes without stability. Boyfriends and girlfriends bring children into the world without a long-term commitment to each other or to parenting. With absent fathers and struggling single mothers, many young people grow up without strong role models. Without discipline and accountability, they turn to the streets for a sense of belonging. The consequences of this instability are far-reaching. Studies show that children raised in broken homes are far more likely to engage in crime, substance abuse, and reckless behavior. When the home fails to instill discipline, the correctional system eventually steps in.
Beyond the collapse of the family structure, today’s youth are growing up in a society where freedom is celebrated without responsibility. The push for unrestricted freedom of speech, choice, and lifestyle has come at a cost, many young people no longer recognize the value of restraint. In the pursuit of self-indulgence, discipline has been abandoned. Social media has amplified this problem, promoting instant gratification, materialism, and a reckless pursuit of pleasure. Young minds are flooded with images of wealth, crime, and fame, with little regard for the consequences.
Psychologically, humans crave structure and meaning. When a society removes traditional values without replacing them with new guiding principles, young people are left wandering. Some find escape in gangs, drugs, and crime; others sink into depression, feeling lost in a world where nothing is certain. The rise of lawlessness is not simply a failure of individuals but a failure of an entire system.
Morally, society has become increasingly indifferent to right and wrong. What was once seen as unacceptable is now tolerated in the name of progress. The boundaries of ethics have been stretched so far that many young people grow up with no clear understanding of justice or consequences. If crime goes unpunished, if corruption is normalized, if bad behavior is rewarded, what motivation is there to choose the right path? A society that fails to uphold moral values creates citizens who do not respect them.
The question is: how can society rediscover itself? The solution begins with rebuilding the foundation, starting with the family. Children need strong parental figures, not just to provide for them, but to guide them. Fathers must be present, and mothers must be supported. Marriage and stable relationships must be valued again, not just for the individuals involved, but for the generations to come.
Education must also go beyond academics. Schools need to teach ethics, responsibility, and resilience. Mentorship programs should be introduced to help young people find role models and develop a sense of purpose. Communities must step up, taking responsibility for their youth instead of waiting for the government or the police to intervene. Churches, local organizations and the larger society must re-engage with young people before they become lost causes.
The culture of materialism and instant gratification must be challenged. The media must stop glorifying crime and reckless lifestyles. Instead of promoting easy wealth, young people must be taught the value of hard work, discipline, and patience. Financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills should be part of mainstream education, helping young people see a future beyond the temptations of the streets.
The story of this young man is not just about him; it is about the world we live in. His sentence is a reflection of a society that has lost its way. If nothing changes, he will not be the last young man to fall into this trap. The future of the next generation depends on the choices we make today. It is time to restore our values, rebuild our families, and reclaim a society where young people are guided, not abandoned. If we fail to act now, we risk losing more young lives, not just to prisons, but to hopelessness, crime, and a future with no purpose.
Finally, society must rethink its approach to justice. While punishment is necessary, rehabilitation should be a priority. Many young offenders are not beyond redemption—they need opportunities to learn, grow, and reintegrate into society. A reformed prisoner, coming out of prison, will be a better preacher to those who are blindly making their way to prison. Instead of condemning them for life, society must give them a reason to believe in change. Training programs, mentorship initiatives, and skill-building opportunities can break the cycle of crime and create productive citizens out of those who once made mistakes. If you share this burden and are interested in helping to turn this around in our society, please contact me: chaderelaw@gmail.com