Stephan Barlow, co-accused in the July 2nd, 2016 murder of Sherwin Johnson, was today sentenced to 18 years behind bars, after pleading to the lesser offence of manslaughter. He will serve 10 years following various deductions from the sentence.
Barlow was previously charged jointly with his lover Alexis Turpin for the 2016 murder of Johnson, who was Turpin’s partner. However, the first trial ended in a hung jury and whilst awaiting retrial Barlow pleaded not guilty to the capital offence but accepted that on July 2nd, 2016 he unlawfully killed Johnson who was beaten and stabbed.
In mitigation on Barlow’s behalf, attorney Clyde Forde told Justice Brassington Reynolds to take into consideration that Barlow is still young and is the father of two minors, both younger than 10-years. He reminded the court that his client has shown remorse for the crime and described his client as a model prisoner; Forde informed the court that Barlow has spent his time incarcerated developing his Christian faith and has strengthened his skills as a mason and furthered his academic studies through the prison library.
State Prosecutor Tyra Bakker requested that the sentence be a reflection of the nature and gravity of the crime, as well as a future warning and deterrence for other persons. According to the prosecution’s facts, on the day in question Johnson went home and saw the mother of his child with Barlow and an argument erupted between Barlow and Johnson. The court was told that during the verbal altercation, Barlow armed himself with a piece of wood and a knife with which he dealt Johnson several blows and chops. Bakker said that the accused then walked away, leaving the injured man who was then rushed to the hospital. Johnson later died from the injuries inflicted on him.
Before passing sentence, Justice Reynolds said that Barlow was liable to life imprisonment because of the severity of the charge he had admitted to. However, the judge said that he is guided by the World Health Organization figure for life expectancy of the Guyana male, the circumstances in the case regarding the nature and manner of the offence that was committed and Barlow’s early confession. Justice Reynolds said that with regard to the fact that the fight was initiated by Barlow, who did not further waste the court’s time with the retrial, Barlow’s initial sentence would be 18 years. But following a deduction of 5 years, six months for time spent incarcerated and an additional 2 years, six months deducted for not wasting the court’s time, Barlow will serve only ten years.
Turpin is currently still facing a retrial.
