Former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) captain Orwain Sandy who killed his partner Reona Payne back in 2018 has appealed the life sentence he was handed earlier this month.
He cites the sentence as being too severe.
His notice of appeal indicates that additional/substantive grounds will be added at the hearing of his appeal for which a date will be fixed by the Guyana Court of Appeal.
On August 4th, Justice Sandil Kissoon, who described the woman’s killing as “heinous and brutal,” noted that a strong message needed to be sent to potential offenders as he ordered that Sandy spend no less than 20 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole.
The mother of three was shot 14 times, including at least once to the head.
Sandy was indicted for murder, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter, admitting that on March 31st, 2018, he unlawfully killed Payne at First Street, Alexander Village.
He was a captain in the GDF at the time.
The prosecution’s facts were that on the morning in question, at about 10:40, the two, who shared a common-law relationship, were arguing with each other as they drove along First Street, Alexander Village.
State counsel Lisa Cave had said that at some point during the journey Sandy parked the car and was seen a few feet from the left side door with his 9mm service pistol, pulling Payne from the vehicle.
The court had heard that Payne resisted but Sandy was seen continually pulling her before she eventually fell out of the car.
Cave said that shortly after, Sandy aimed the gun at Payne and fired a shot.
According to the prosecutor, Sandy was then seen pausing for about five to six seconds before firing several more shots at Payne after which he entered his vehicle and drove to the nearby Ruimveldt Police Station, where he told police what he had done to Payne.
