Judge Orders Indeterminate Sentence for Man Who Chopped Elderly Victim 40 Times

Floyd Alan Leacock, a 52-year-old man diagnosed with schizophrenia, has been sentenced to an indeterminate prison term at Dodds Prison for the brutal 2019 killing of 74-year-old Patrick Barker. Leacock, who inflicted over 40 chop wounds on Barker in his home, pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.

The court determined that Leacock posed a high risk to society, citing his history of non-compliance with psychiatric treatment and cannabis abuse, which worsened his condition. Justice Randall Worrell ruled that Leacock will remain in prison indefinitely, with psychiatric reviews every four years to assess his eligibility for release.

Reports indicated that Leacock had previous convictions, including for burglary, and functioned better in controlled environments where his medication was strictly monitored. The court opted to house him at Dodds instead of the Psychiatric Hospital, considering public safety concerns.

During the attack, Barker’s daughter and son witnessed the horrific assault and attempted to intervene. A post-mortem revealed over 40 chop wounds, contradicting Leacock’s initial claim that he acted in self-defense.

Source: Barbados Today