Businessman pleads guilty to murder of 14-year-old

SAVANNA-LA-MAR- Westmoreland – Westmoreland businessman 37-year-old photo studio operator Cornelius Robinson pleaded guilty to the murder of 14-year-old schoolgirl Santoya Campbell, when he appeared in the Westmoreland Circuit Court today.

He is scheduled for sentencing next Thursday.

Robinson who is of a Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland address, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and headed straight to Circuit court, which is now underway in the parish.

He is represented by attorney, Herwin Smart. The case is being presided over in the Westmoreland Circuit court by Justice Martin Gayle.

On Tuesday January 27, Santoya’s body was found in a garbage bag under a bridge close to the Frome Technical High School, where she was a grade eight student.

Robinson was taken into custody shortly after the grisly discovery.

A subsequent post mortem results showed that the young student was pregnant. The post mortem concluded that young Santoya was strangled.

Robinson was charged by detectives from Westmoreland Police Division last Friday.

HORACE HINES