Former army captain gets life sentence for killing partner

Orwain and Reona in happier times

Former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) captain Orwain Sandy was yesterday handed a life sentence for the slaying of his partner Reona Payne, whom he shot more than a dozen times back in 2018.

Justice Sandil Kissoon, who described the woman’s killing as “heinous and brutal,” noted that a strong message needed to be sent to potential offenders as he ordered that Sandy spend no less than 20 years before becoming eligible for parole.

During the virtual Zoom hearing the judge told a seemingly remorseful Sandy that his actions were “despicable,” “unjustifiable,” “inexcusable” and, contrary to his attorney’s contentions, “unprovoked,” when he took Payne’s life in a hail of bullets.