- told self-induced intoxication no excuse

Mahendra Singh, called Sunil, who killed his uncle after the uncle demanded that he leave a birthday party at Number 72 Village, Corentyne, on January 5, 2008, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment by Justice Winston Patterson at the Berbice Assizes.

Singh appeared before Justice Patterson last week and pleaded guilty to manslaughter committed on Ganesh Rai; a probation report was ordered before sentencing.

Senior Probation Officer Forbes Munroe in his report said that the prisoner has a wife and two daughters who are both attending nursery school.

Munroe informed the court that Singh was the only child of his parents and was left in the care of his paternal grandmother after his parents reportedly committed suicide when he was just nine months old.

The probation officer said Singh ad bonded with his father’s relatives and had received the support a family affords its members.

He said Singh was not a delinquent but did not have the educational support for his necessary development.

It was noted also that Singh and his relatives lived in the same yard but occupied two separate houses.

Singh admitted committing the offence, stating that he felt “sorry about what happened. It never should have happened that way. It was
my uncle.”

Earlier, State Prosecutor Attorney-at-law Dionne Mc Cammon said that Singh and his cousin Ryan were consuming alcohol at a birthday party when the latter’s father told them to leave.

A quarrel ensued and Singh walked away saying, “I go chop Rai.”

Rai left the birthday party minutes later and his son followed. When Ryan arrived home he saw his older cousin in the yard with what appeared to be blood-stained clothing and Singh told him: “I just chopped Rai.”

On hearing this Ryan rushed to Singh’s home where he found his father covered in blood with a number of wounds about his body, head, foot and arms.

The wounded man was taken to the Skeldon Hospital where he was treated but he died subsequently at the New Amsterdam Hospital where he had been taken for further medical assistance.

An autopsy report prepared by Dr Vivikanand Brijmohan revealed that death was due to shock and haemorrhage, multiple incised wounds and a fractured skull.

In a plea of mitigation, defence lawyer Rodwell Jugmohan told the court that his client had gone to the Skeldon Hospital to express regret to his uncle when he was arrested by a policeman after confessing to the crime.

Jugmohan implored the court to note that his client was a first time offender and urged that the sentence not keep him from his children for a lengthy period.

Prior to handing down the sentence, Justice Patterson told the prisoner that while his lawyer was urging the court not to give him a long prison term, “to keep you away from your young children. This, however, is a serious and prevalent offence… what bothers me is that persons drink too much alcohol.”

Recapping the evidence, the judge noted that “you were liquored, along with your cousin and uncle…

“Your lawyer quoted various aspects of the depositions…” Ryan had said his father appeared to be angry and that’s the reason he found himself at Singh’s home where he slapped him. However, Singh retaliated by severely wounding Rai.

“The probation report mentioned that you were devoid of parental guidance. How-ever you did well. You sought employment as a labourer in the sugar industry and at your age you did not commit yourself criminally prior to this incident. It must be commended. But self-induced intoxication is no excuse. You need to be temperate in what you do,” the judge stated.

“I have considered the seriousness, prevalence and stupidity of the offence. The post-mortem report does not look good. You chopped the man all over, although there were no signs of animosity. Your uncle even allowed you to build your house on his land,” recounted the judge before imposing the penalty.