St. Ann man sentenced to more than 30 years in prison for rape and murder of 9-year-old girl | RJR News

By Clinton McGregor

Troy Ellis, the man who pleaded guilty to raping and killing nine-year-old Taliyah Thompson in Discovery Bay, St Ann, last year, was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison when he appeared before St Ann on Thursday afternoon District Court.

The gruesome murder of Taliyah in September last year shocked and sparked widespread public outrage.

Investigators said the little girl was lured to Mr Ellis’ home on Fortland Road in Discovery Bay, where she was repeatedly raped and stabbed.

Her body was found in his house by residents of his community.

Ellis, a sanitation worker, attempted to commit suicide after the murder but was unsuccessful.

He was hospitalized for self-inflicted knife wounds.

But despite pleading guilty and handing himself over to court in February, Judge Andrea Pettygrew-Collins cracked down on him.

Ellis was sentenced to 31 years in prison for murder.

He must serve 24 years before being eligible for parole.

The judge imposed a sentence of 22 years, seven months and two weeks for the offense of rape.

He must serve 18 years before being eligible for parole.

Ellis was sentenced to 19 years, four months and two weeks for aggravated sexual assault.

He must serve 15 years behind bars before being released on parole.

He was given a 15-year prison sentence for the charge of possession of a prohibited weapon.

Judge Pettygrew-Collins also sentenced Ellis to life in prison for possession of ammunition, with eligibility for parole after 15 years.