Convicted killer Daniel Agard has been resentenced by a High Court judge, resulting in a final sentence of 28 years given by Justice Gillian Scotland on July 30.
Agard spent 22 years and eight months in prison for the brutal murders of the Cropper family in 2001, and these were deducted from his sentence, leaving him with five years and four months to serve. This time will be further reduced once his remission is calculated, possibly leading to an earlier release.
Justice Scotland took various factors into consideration when determining Agard’s new sentence, including breaches of his constitutional rights, his prolonged detention on death row, lack of sentence reviews, and minimal participation in prison programs.
Agard, who is now 39 years old, was initially convicted for the Cropper murders in 2004 with another man, Lester Pitman. The victims of these brutal murders included members of the Cropper family – Maggie Lee, Lynette Lithgow-Pearson, and John Cropper. The bodies of the victims were found bound, gagged, and with their throats slit in the Cropper home in 2001.
Despite previous appeals and retrials, Agard’s convictions stood, leading to his resentencing by Justice Scotland. During his time in prison, Agard expressed remorse for his actions and vowed not to engage in criminal behavior if released.
However, concerns about Agard’s lack of skills, family support, and participation in rehabilitation programs were raised during his resentencing. Justice Scotland emphasized the importance of addressing these issues before his potential release.
In a separate ruling on July 18, the High Court ordered the State to compensate Agard with $45,000 for injuries sustained in prison. These legal proceedings were handled by attorneys Gerald Ramdeen, Wayne Sturge, and Dayadai Harripaul.
While Agard’s resentencing represents a chapter in his legal journey, his prospects for rehabilitation and reintegration into society remain uncertain, pending further assessment and potential participation in supportive programs.
