Thirty-seven-year-old Hansel Andre Lewis, who slashed the throat of Chris Burrowes during the early hours of New Year’s Day 2013, was on Friday sentenced to 13 years in prison by Justice Brassington Reynolds at the Berbice Assizes on the indictment of attempted murder.
Lewis had been convicted last month but the case was adjourned to facilitate the presentation of a probation report. Lewis had pleaded not guilty at his arraignment.
The State, represented by prosecutor Stacy Goodman led the evidence of five witnesses.
In handing down the sentence, Justice Reynolds told Lewis that he did not utilize the opportunity presented to him after his family had migrated to the United States.
“There are people lining up to go to the United States to grasp the opportunities you have wasted. You had brushes with the law, suffered deportation and the death of your wife. In this case you used an offensive weapon after you became aggravated.
I noted you are making an effort to address your tendencies and have courted religion to address your temper.
It does not help that you use prohibited substances.”
He later pronounced a sentence of 13 years.
