Leoda Bradshaw, the woman accused of masterminding the September 2023 kidnapping and murder of 10-month-old Serayah Paulwell and her mother Toshyna Patterson, told the Supreme Court in Kingston on Thursday that she'll plead guilty.

Bradshaw, a former United States Navy culinary specialist, indicated her plea under section 2(2) of the Offences Against the Person Act. That section covers non-capital murder — any murder that doesn't meet the strict criteria for capital murder, like contract killings or murders during terrorism. For non-capital murder, the court can hand down life imprisonment or a fixed term with a minimum of 15 years before parole.

She faces two counts each of conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to kidnapping, kidnapping, and capital murder. Her cousin Roland Balfour, alleged triggerman David Smith, and Bjorn Black are also charged in the case.

Balfour faces two counts each of accessory before the fact to kidnapping and accessory before the fact to murder. Black is charged with two counts each of murder, kidnapping, conspiracy to murder, and conspiracy to kidnapping, plus additional firearms charges. Smith faces two counts each of capital murder, conspiracy to murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy to kidnapping.

The brutal crime shook Jamaica. Serayah Paulwell was the daughter of Phillip Paulwell, a long-serving Member of Parliament and former government minister. The baby and her mother were snatched from their home in St. Andrew on September 27, 2023. Their bodies were found days later in separate locations.

Bradshaw's guilty plea means she avoids a full trial on the capital murder charges, which carry the possibility of the death penalty under Jamaican law. Capital murder is defined as murder committed during a robbery, burglary, or arson; murder of a law enforcement officer or correctional officer; murder for hire; or murder by a person already serving a life sentence. The prosecution will now move to sentencing.

Her co-accused haven't indicated any plea changes. They're expected to face trial later. The court hasn't set a date for Bradshaw's sentencing hearing.

  • Leoda Bradshaw pleaded guilty to non-capital murder under section 2(2) of the Offences Against the Person Act
  • The crime: kidnapping and murder of 10-month-old Serayah Paulwell and her mother Toshyna Patterson in September 2023
  • Serayah was the daughter of Jamaican MP Phillip Paulwell
  • Bradshaw is a former US Navy culinary specialist
  • Four people charged: Bradshaw, Roland Balfour, David Smith, Bjorn Black
  • Non-capital murder carries a minimum 15-year prison term before parole eligibility