After killing the Lyns, the men contacted their family members demanding a ransom. *Photo credit: threeminds.organic.com

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC -  A Jamaica court on Wednesday sentenced two men to death for the kidnapping and murder of a prominent businessman and his wife in 2006.

The Home Circuit Court sentenced Lennox Swaby and Calvin Powell to face the gallows for the death of Richard Lyn and his wife, Hulia, who were from the central parish of Manchester.

Government prosecutors had sought the death penalty, which was strongly opposed by the defence. But in her summary, presiding judge Marva McIntosh said the men had shown no remorse for their actions and were beyond reform.

Prosecutors had argued that there was serious concern about the rise in kidnappings and murders in Jamaica and the two were prime candidates for the death penalty.

Lyn and his wife were kidnapped from their home on December 9, 2006.

After killing the Lyns, the men contacted their family members demanding a ransom.

Investigators, who had searched for the couple for several weeks, testified that Powell, a garbage truck driver, was the man who led them to the bodies that were hidden at a dump site on December 29 of that year.

The two accused had claimed that the Lyns were killed by a policeman. However, the prosecutors dismissed the allegations and argued that appliances stolen from the Lyns residence were found in the possession of the men.