Justice Winston Patterson yesterday sentenced a man who pleaded guilty to killing his brother to eight years imprisonment.
Taijpaul “Fatboy” Nankishore, 32, pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter on January 21. After the reading of a probation report, Taijpaul told the court that he has benefited from being in prison. The man said that he had joined the Christian faith, become literate and developed himself as a self-taught artist.
On May 7, 2008, Taijpaul killed Seepaul Ramesh Nankishore at Foulis, East Coast Demerara. Taijpaul had been indicted for murder and later expressed remorse and entered a guilty plea. There was no eyewitness to the murder but Taijpaul admitted in a caution statement given to police that he and his brother were drinking and that an argument started over a $60 bet. He had further admitted that his brother hit him and he retaliated.
Senior Probation and Social Services Officer Floyd Rudder presented the probation report to the court. Neighbours, other residents, relatives and friends of the accused were interviewed to compile the report. The report reflected favorably for Taijpaul and showed that the deceased was the aggressor in their relationship. It further found that family and neighbours, who filled the courtroom yesterday, were willing to forgive the defendant and accept him back in the community. A drawing by Taijpaul of the Sistine Madonna was also put on display so the court could see how much he had achieved while on remand.
Before sentencing, the Judge asked him how many years he thought he should be give. Taijpaul said three. Justice Patterson told him that it was the first time a prisoner had told the court that being on remand had been beneficial.
The Judge further noted the positive probation report and told the man that he would be lenient with him. The eight year sentence, the Judge said, was his most lenient sentence to date. He noted that it cannot be forgotten that a life had been lost and that this was caused by self-induced intoxication.
Taijpaul was further advised by the Judge to continue his journey in turning his life around. Justice Patterson noted that the man, up to the time of his incarceration, had not been in any serious relationship. The Judge told Taijpaul that he will still be a young man when he is released from prison and he should find a partner and settle down to a peaceful life.
Prosecutors Judith Gildharie-Mursalin and Konyo Sandiford presented the state’s case while attorney Clarissa Riehl represented Taijpaul.
