HAMILTON – The Bermudian killer of the teenage daughter of former Barbadian policeman Rohan Moore has lost an appeal against his conviction.
Rhiana Moore was just 14 years old when Ze Selassie – who had been conducting an illegal sexual relationship with her – stabbed her to death in May 2008 to cover up the fact that she was seven months pregnant with his child.
“We are satisfied that the evidence presented by the prosecution was sufficient to enable the jury to return a verdict of premeditated murder,” Justices Edward Zacca, Sir Anthony Evans and Sir Robin Auld said in a written ruling.
However, a decision on the appeal against the jail sentence has been reserved.
Chief Justice Richard Ground ruled last year that Selassie must spend at least 35 years in prison before he can be considered for release.
The ruling marked a legal landmark in Bermuda, as it swept away the previous mandatory minimum of 25 years for premeditated murder.
Selassie – who was convicted of rape in a separate case 11 years ago – admitted his sexual relationship with Rhiana during his 13-day trial. He denied murdering her.
But the three-member Appeal Court dismissed 34-year-old Selassie’s appeal against conviction but reserved a finding on an appeal against the sentence until a decision is made in another appeals case.
Queen Counsel John Perry, who represented Selassie, had filed the appeal on the grounds that there was no evidence that the crime was premeditated.
But Crown counsel Cindy Clarke argued that a series of text messages between Selassie and the victim, along with the fact that Moore was stabbed with a knife, indicated the crime had been thought of in advance.(CMC)
