–says ‘Concrete Man’ before being slapped with 21-year jail sentence for killing Linden teacher
“I know I am wrong for what I have done. I’m just really sorry for what happened. I just want to ask the court for mercy,” convicted murderer Shaka Phillips told the Demerara High Court on Wednesday.
Phillips, who also begged the deceased’s family for forgiveness, made the plea before being sentenced to 21 years in prison for killing his former girlfriend, 26-year-old teacher Jenel Pollydore.
The two had been in a relationship and shared a young child, and Phillips told the court that he had planned to spend the rest of his life with her.
Phillips, 22, also known as “Concrete Man,” of Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, pleaded guilty to murder in August.
He admitted responsibility for the fatal shooting of Pollydore, a mother of three with whom he shared a young child.
Pollydore’s parents told the court of the profound pain caused by their daughter’s death.
Her father, Glen Pollydore, described Jenel as his first child and a loving person devoted to her family, while her stepmother, Madonna Pollydore, said her absence remained painful for the family.
Justice Priscilla Chandra-Hanif imposed the sentence after considering the circumstances surrounding the killing, the impact on Pollydore’s family and Phillips’ personal circumstances.
The court heard that Pollydore was shot on July 19, 2025, while attending a wedding reception at the R&R Hotel in Central Amelia’s Ward.
Phillips confronted her after questioning why she had failed to answer his telephone calls.
The confrontation escalated into an argument, during which Phillips produced a handgun and shot Pollydore.
She ran towards the hotel’s pool area in an attempt to escape, but Phillips pursued her and fired additional shots before fleeing.
Police later found Pollydore motionless near the pool with gunshot wounds to the right side of her face and the back of her head.
Two spent 9mm shells were recovered, and she was pronounced dead after being taken to the Linden Hospital Complex.
The court was also told that Pollydore had ended her relationship with Phillips and had previously secured a protection order following incidents of domestic abuse.
Despite the order, Phillips continued to harass and pursue Pollydore and her family.
In sentencing Phillips, Justice Chandra-Hanif stressed that jealousy, possessiveness and attempts to control an intimate partner could never justify violence.
She said the domestic context, use of a firearm, Phillips’ pursuit of Pollydore after the initial shooting, the additional shots and his subsequent flight all aggravated the seriousness of the offence.
The judge also considered CCTV footage which, she said, provided compelling evidence that Phillips continued pursuing Pollydore after shooting her the first time.
Justice Chandra-Hanif began with a 30-year starting point, then deducted two years for mitigating factors, including Phillips’ personal circumstances and prospects for rehabilitation.
His early guilty plea attracted a further seven-year reduction, bringing the sentence to 21 years.
The sentence is to be reduced by the time Phillips has already spent on remand.
The judge also ordered him to undergo psychological counselling and participate in academic and vocational programmes as part of his rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into society.
Phillips was represented by attorney-at-law Tonza Sarrabo, while attorneys Aleria Heywood and Nelissa Peterkin appeared for the prosecution.
