Man Sentenced to Over 20 Years for Murder of Customs Officer Girlfriend

Delon Charlery has been sentenced to 20 years and 2 months in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, 40-year-old Customs Enforcement Officer Zorina Benjamin, who was shot dead in her home in November 2021.

Charlery pleaded guilty to murder on May 19th, 2025, in the High Court.

On the morning of November 22nd, 2021, Benjamin, an 11-year veteran of the Customs Department who was issued a service firearm as part of her enforcement duties, failed to report for her 8 am shift. When concerned colleagues went to check on her at her Golden Grove home, they found the doors locked with keys broken off in the keyholes.

After forcing entry around midday, officers discovered Benjamin’s body on her bed, covered by a sheet, with gunshot wounds to both temples. Her service weapon was found nearby with the hammer cocked and safety off.

Throughout the morning of the murder, Charlery had been moving around the island, visiting his sister with luggage, getting his hair done, and attempting to catch a flight. When questioned by  Benjamin’s colleagues earlier that day, he claimed she was doing well when he left home.

Police investigation revealed crucial CCTV footage from cameras installed at the victim’s home. The footage showed the couple returning home at 10:06 pm on November 21st. At 3:07 am, audio captured an argument where Charlery could be heard telling  Benjamin he had “already tek um off safety” and instructing her to sit up in bed.

Benjamin, sounding exhausted, responded, “Delon kill me if you wan kill me” – moments before a gunshot was heard.

Charlery was seen on camera leaving the property at 5:02 am in the victim’s vehicle after tampering with the door locks. He was apprehended later that day walking on Hawkins Drive with a white t-shirt wrapped around his head.

Initially, Charlery told police the shooting was accidental, claiming they had been scuffling when  Benjamin reached for the gun and it went off as he twisted it away from her. However, the CCTV footage contradicted this account, showing he had control of the weapon and had deliberately removed the safety.

The post-mortem examination, conducted by Dr. Petra Miller Nanton, confirmed  Benjamin died from a gunshot wound that entered her left temple and exited above her right ear.

Charlery, who had initially pleaded not guilty in October 2023 before changing his plea in May 2025, received a reduced sentence due to his guilty plea and previous good character.

The court considered aggravating factors including that the murder occurred in the victim’s home and his efforts to obstruct the discovery of her body. With remand time of 3 years, 10 months, and 8 days deducted from his sentence, Charlery will serve 20 years and 2 months in prison.

Charlery was represented by Wendel Alexander.