Former businessman Junior France is now awaiting sentencing after a jury on Tuesday afternoon found him guilty of the 2020 shooting death of 17-year-old miner Dane Jerrick.
France, 45, had been indicted for murder. Following hours of deliberations, however, the jury acquitted him on the capital charge but unanimously convicted him on the lesser count of manslaughter.
He was found to have unlawfully shot and killed Jerrick on May 17, 2020 at Puruni Landing, Mazaruni River, Essequibo.
Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, who presided over the trial at the Essequibo High Court in Suddie, has deferred sentencing until April 11 to facilitate the presentation of a probation report and impact statements from Jerrick’s family.
This newspaper had previously reported that Jerrick was “lingering” in front of France’s business. As a result, France discharged several rounds in his direction, one of which struck him in his abdomen.
An autopsy would later reveal that the teen, formerly of Lot 1 ‘A’ Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, died as a result of a gunshot injury to his abdomen.
France was represented by defence attorneys Nigel Hughes and Ronald Daniels.
The State’s case meanwhile, was presented by prosecutor Tiffini Lyken.
