Devon Wright Jr. Handed Concurrent Life Sentences Following Cayman Brac Toddler Abduction and Armed Crime Spree

By Alric Lindsay

Described by Justice Emma Peters as a “ruthless” and “dangerous” criminal who “lacks human empathy,” Devon Emmanuel Wright Jr. was sentenced today, October 2, 2026, to concurrent life prison terms.

Justice Peters ordered that Wright serve a minimum of 20 years before becoming eligible for parole, with 581 days already spent on remand to be deducted from his time. The Prosecution was led by Mr. Jonas Hankin, KC, and Mr. Martin Mulgrew, while Wright was represented by Mr. Stan Reiz, KC, and Ms. Katie Williams.

The official Minute of Order issued by Justice Peters spans a massive list of indictments and traffic offences (Section 88 offences) spanning from 2022 to 2025. Because Justice Peters ruled that all sentences are to run concurrently, Wright’s maximum operational penalty is life imprisonment with a minimum 20-year tariff.

The Abduction of Alissady Powell

The first life sentence stems from the July 26, 2022, abduction of two-year-old Alissady Powell in Cayman Brac (Ind. 71/2025). While a jury previously acquitted Wright of murder, Justice Peters emphasized the horrific gravity of the alternative abduction charge, sentencing him to life imprisonment with a 20-year minimum term.

Justice Peters detailed the heartbreaking circumstances of that night:

• The Abduction: Wright took the sleeping toddler directly from her bed in the hours of darkness.
• The Handover: Wright deliberately targeted the child, committing a gross breach of trust by delivering her directly to her actual murderer. Justice Peters noted that the risk of harm to the child would have been glaringly obvious. Alissady was later found dead with significant head bruises; her cause of death was compression of the neck.
• The Cover-Up: Following the crime, Wright destroyed evidence by getting rid of a Ring doorbell, lied directly to the police, and falsely sought to shift blame onto the child’s mother.

Terrifying Spree: Major Indictments & Commercial Robberies

Wright’s second life sentence—also carrying a 20-year minimum term—was handed down for the Chill Spot robbery, which was part of a string of highly coordinated, violent commercial robberies executed across Grand Cayman.

The primary criminal indictments resolved today include:

Maria’s Convenience Store (Ind. 21, 63, 89/2025, Count 5):14 years imprisonment.

Three perpetrators wielding machetes and one carrying a firearm stormed the store. They made multiple attempts to strike the shop owner, fleeing with $900 and leaving behind wounds requiring stitches.

Welly’s Cool Spot Robbery (Ind. 21, 63, 89/2025, Count 1):12 years imprisonment.

Wright acted as the leader of a gang that included a 16-year-old co-defendant. Heavily premeditated, Wright scouted the establishment three times that same day before returning to rob the premises using a machete captured on CCTV.

Ali’s Barber Shop Robbery (Ind. 21, 63, 89/2025, Count 4):5 years imprisonment.

The gang banged into the establishment and demanded money. The victim’s bag was taken and was left traumatized.

Mary Street Attempted Robbery (Ind. 21, 63, 89/2025, Count 3):4 years imprisonment.

An attempted armed robbery at Solomon’s Grocery Store on Mary Street. When Mr. Rivera emerged, the gang demanded money. One shouted, “Chop him, chop him!” Mr. Rivera has been left with severe daily panic and sleep disruptions.

Holmes Turn Wounding (Ind. 21, 63, 89/2025, Count 2):3 years imprisonment.

A planned armed confrontation in a residential yard using a vehicle. Individuals brandished machetes, and a victim, Mr. Anderson, was struck.

Chill Spot Restaurant Robbery (Ind. 21, 63, 89/2025, Count 6):Life imprisonment (20-year minimum).

Stealing entire cash registers, causing a $6,000 loss. Wright’s electronic monitor firmly placed him at the scene.

Firearms Offences (Ind. 37/2025):14 years imprisonment for Count 1 (Possession of an unlicensed firearm) and 3 years imprisonment for Count 2 (Possession of unlicensed ammunition). Six days after the Chill Spot robbery, police discovered the firearm hidden inside a drawer.

Section 88 Offences: Summary Court Transfers & Traffic Crimes

In addition to the heavy criminal indictments, the Grand Court formally passed concurrent sentences for a long sheet of underlying summary convictions, drug charges, and bail/monitoring breaches:

Drug Possession & Consumption

• GSC2026-00016 (Count 3):6 months imprisonment for possession of 12g (0.423oz) of cocaine.
• GSC2026-00018 (Count 1 & 2):6 months imprisonment for consumption of cocaine and 4 months imprisonment for consumption of Ganja.
• GSC2026-00019 (Count 1):4 months imprisonment for possession of 6.50g of ganja.
• GSC2026-00021 (Count 1):6 months imprisonment for possession of 0.86g of ganja.
• GSC2026-00023 (Count 1):6 months imprisonment for possession of 5.71g of ganja.

Escape & Monitoring Breaches

• GSC2026-00019 (Count 2):12 months imprisonment for Attempting to Escape.
• GSC2026-00022 (Count 1):6 months imprisonment for Tampering with an electronic monitoring device.

Traffic and Driving Violations

• GSC2026-00015 (Count 1 & 2):6 months imprisonment for dangerous driving, alongside 4 months imprisonment and a 24-month driving disqualification for driving without being qualified.
• GSC2026-00017 (Counts 1 to 5):2 months imprisonment for careless driving; 1 month imprisonment plus a 6-month driving disqualification for driving without insurance; and 1 month imprisonment for driving without being qualified. Counts 4 and 5 (using a vehicle without a valid roadworthiness certificate and failing to comply with a police constable’s signal) received no separate penalty.