Man who killed child he claimed as 'girlfriend' gets life in prison

A 22-year-old man who pleaded guilty to the stabbing murder of a 14-year-old girl, whom he told a court was his "girlfriend," was sentenced to life in prison on Friday.

Justice Bertram Morrison, who handed down the sentence in the St Catherine Circuit Court, said Shemar McCalla will have to serve at least 15 years and nine months before being eligible for parole.

McCalla murdered Denesha Cooper of Naseberry Grove in St Catherine in May 2021.

His attorney, Nicholas Edmonds, urged the judge to be lenient, noting that McCalla was a teenager at the time of the crime, is not beyond redemption, pleaded guilty, and regrets his actions.

Justice Morrison acknowledged the lawyer as being "eloquent," McCalla's guilty plea and his remorsefulness.

But he said McCalla must face consequences for his actions.

"You have taken the life of a teenager whom you said that you had a relationship, even though she was underage. This is a sad act and premeditation cannot be omitted as you agreed that you loved her and did not want to lose her," Justice Morrison said.

McCalla spent two years and seven months in jail prior to being sentenced.

McCalla pounced upon the Cooper about 9 p.m. on May 8, 2021, and stabbed her repeatedly with a knife.

He attempted to escape but was held by residents.

Cooper was assisted to the Spanish Town Hospital where she died two days later.

-Rasbert Turner

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