After almost a week-long trial for the murder of Reyad Khan, Christopher Da Silva yesterday pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter for unlawfully killing the teenager.
He was sentenced to six years in jail for the crime.
Da Silva, 23, accepted that on June 28th, 2012, at 17th Street, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, he unlawfully killed 17-year-old Khan.
When given a chance to speak, the convict apologized to the father of the deceased, who was present at court, for his actions.
Before accepting the guilty plea, Justice Navindra Singh, who presided over the case at the High Court in Georgetown, enquired from Da Silva whether he had taken any medication or drugs in the 24 hours prior to making his plea, to which the convict answered in the negative. Asked if he had discussed his plea with his attorney, Da Silva said yes. He also answered likewise, when asked by the judge if he knew that by pleading guilty to manslaughter he would have lost his right to a trial and would be sentenced to a term of imprisonment. Asked finally whether he was being forced by anyone to plead guilty, the convict said no.
Defence attorney Maxwell McKay begged the court for lenience. He said that Da Silva is being supported by his family in prison. The convict then noted that his mother, who is a single parent, is finding it difficult.
For his part, Prosecutor Siand Dhurjon asked the court to be reminded that Khan was young at the time of the incident, while noting that he was the top student of his school, and full of potential.
The prosecutor then asked the court to impose a sentence commensurate with Da Silva’s actions.
Justice Singh told the convict the position in which he found himself was unfortunate. He also noted that anger management is one of the programmes offered in prison.
Although he considered Da Silva’s expression of remorse, the judge reminded him that a life was lost.
Justice Singh commenced sentencing at 11 years. He then deducted five years for the time Da Silva spent in jail awaiting trial, thereby bringing the final sentence to six years.
“I trust you pursue a meaningful life,” the judge told the convict, while noting that he can become eligible for parole.
Members of Da Silva’s family, who were in court, were teary-eyed after the proceedings.
Khan died from shock and haemorrhage due to a single stab wound that he sustained during an altercation with Da Silva.
The state’s case was presented by Dhurjon, in association with Tuanna Hardy.
