Justice Roxanne George today sentenced Chetram Nourang to 18 years imprisonment for the manslaughter of his reputed wife Jasoda Budhoo.
The crime was committed on May 27, 2007 at Adelphi, Canje. Nourang was originally charged with murder put pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.
Sitting at the Berbice Assizes, Justice George said that a serious message had to be sent over intimate partner violence.
“A strong message has to be sent to intimate party relationships and perpetrators of domestic violence”, she stated. Referring to the testimony in the case, Justice George remarked, “You clearly stated that you had a problem with her and you left for your mother’s home. You should have walked away … she did not want your $1000, you should have walked.”
“Too many incidents of domestic violence, too many incidents of women being killed senselessly. The other injuries, which include abrasions, confirmed that there was a struggle, a fight between the two of you. Maybe you had too much to drink, but even in those circumstances, you have no right to take a life … too much rancour, violence, and hate … People don’t want to step away or mediate. They pick a fight everywhere it’s a horrible way to live … what kind of society is this”, she questioned.
Reports on the case had stated that Nourang lived two doors away and shared a common-law relationship with the woman for about eight months. On the day in question he entered through a back gate and slashed her throat. She died several days after.
