Rose Hall man gets 10 years for killing wife

Desmond Gordon and Bhagmattie Etwaroo

A Rose Hall, Corentyne man who two weeks ago pleaded guilty at the High Court in Berbice to the lesser count of manslaughter will spend ten years more in prison for killing his wife. 

Desmond Gordon was charged with the murder of Bhagmattie Etwaroo, 50, at their Lot 196 Mangrove Street, Rose Hall, Corentyne.

Justice Brassington Reynolds yesterday initially sentenced the man to 18 years imprisonment however, several deductions were made after the probation report was read, as well as a deduction for the number of years he had already spent in prison since being charged and for his good behaviour while in prison.

Two weeks ago, State Prosecutrix, Tuanna Hardy in her address to the court  had stated that Gordon and Etwaroo, who had shared a common law union for eight years, were consuming alcohol for a long period on the day in question, after which an argument ensued between the couple and Gordon was seen dealing her chop wounds to her neck and head.

During the argument, Etwaroo jumped from the stairs of the upper flat to the bottom flat of her house to escape blows from Gordon. However, he had already chopped her about her body, including her neck. The woman ran into the storeroom where she collapsed.

Etwaroo was rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

According to a post-mortem examination, she died from shock and haemorrhaging due to multiple incised wounds.

Etwaroo was a mother of seven.