Four men who admitted to killing businessman Rajendra Singh, who was kidnapped and later found dead in a city cemetery in 2014, were yesterday each sentenced to 11 and a half years in jail.
Doodnauth Ketwaroo, called ‘Pumpkin,’ of Good Hope, East Coast Deme-rara; Tony Thomas, of Bel Air Village, Georgetown; Michael Lewis, called ‘Jet Lee,’ of Sheriff Street, Georgetown; and Adony James, of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, were sentenced by Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court after they pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
The judge, who told the men that they were receiving a second chance in life, noted that the years they have already spent in prison are to be deducted by the prison service from their sentence.
Singh was held at gunpoint and kidnapped from his business place at Foulis, East Coast Demerara on April 5th, 2014. A multi-million dollar ransom was later demanded for his safe return. How-ever, the businessman’s body was discovered on the morning of April 9th in Le Repentir Cemetery, with a gunshot wound to his head.
Prior to their sentencing, the four men all pleaded with the judge for mercy, while saying they were remorseful and begging for the forgiveness of the relatives of the deceased. They also claimed to be changed individuals seeking a second chance at life.
Attorney Bernard DaSilva, who represented Thomas, told the court that his client had indicated to him that he had the chance to reflect for the almost seven years he has been incarcerated and that he was remorseful and apologetic.
The lawyer noted that Thomas had the opportunity to reform himself as he made mention that he had adopted religion, which now serves to guide him. He also extended his client’s wish to have the deceased’s family recognize him as the person he is today.
DaSilva also noted that his client did not choose to waste the court’s time and was seeking the possibility of a second chance to redeem himself to his family and his young child.
His later told the court that the role played by his client did not cause Singh’s death.
Ronald Daniels, who is the attorney who represented Lewis, said the father of five was ready to make a positive contribution to society. He added that he was asking the mercy of the court for a man who is convinced that he can make a positive contribution to society.
Ketwaroo’s lawyer noted that the deceased and Ketwaroo were friends but that changed. The attorney stated that his client regretted his actions, which resulted in the death of his friend and cooperated with the investigation, including by providing a statement to the investigating officers indicating the part he played.
As a result, he sought a merciful sentencing on his client’s behalf.
James’ attorney told the court that the farmer and father of three was following bad company in 2014. He offered his condolences to the family of the deceased while also seeking a second chance.
Prosecutor Tyra Bakker asked that the sentencing take into consideration that the act was premeditated to kidnap the deceased and that it was committed by someone the deceased knew.
She added that Singh was a provider to his family and his untimely death has left the relatives who are still mourning to fend for themselves.
She further noted that the deceased’s body was found discarded in a cemetery, which indicated that they had no regards for him before and after death.
Bakker asked that the sentence reflect the nature of the crime.
