A Black Bush Polder, Corentyne man was yesterday sentenced to nine years and two months in prison after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the High Court in Berbice last week.
Gopaul Sewsankar, also known as ‘Romel’, 24, of Lot 85 Yakusari North, Black Bush Polder, who was sentenced by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall yesterday, was convicted of fatally stabbing his brother Vishal Sahora, 18, also of Lot 85 Yakusari North, Black Bush Polder.
He was represented by Attorney at Law, Surihya Sabsook, while the state was represented by Attorney at Law, Tuanna Hardy.
Before handing down her sentence Justice Morris-Ramlall said that in arriving at a starting point of 18 years, she considered the offence the man pleaded guilty to which included the taking of a life, the aggravating and mitigating factors surrounding the commission of the offence, which includes the fact that the offender had been con-suming alcohol, and the nature of the injury which he inflicted.
“It was one wound but it was a stab wound to the heart and implicit in that is the fact that a weapon was used”, she said.
She also considered that the life lost was a young one; “In fact the younger brother of the offender who the offender should have protected instead of causing the loss of his life.”
The judge said she also took into consideration the fact that the offender was the aggressor in the incident as well as the aggra-vating and mitigating factors in relation to the offender himself.
She noted that he is a young and first-time offender and therefore the possibility for rehabilitation is greater. Additionally, she pointed out that his relatives were present in court and were supportive of him. She noted that the father has indicated that he has since forgiven him. Further, the offender has expressed sorrow and remorse “and he appeared visibly distressed over his actions and the loss of his younger brother.”
Further, the judge also took into consideration that the accused has a four-year-old child.
As such, one third was deducted from the starting sentence, while two years and 11 months was deducted on account of the time he served on remand. “In the end the offender is sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 9 years two months, that is the sentence of the court”, the judge said.
Prosecutor Hardy last week told the court that the accused wanted to borrow the deceased’s motorcycle but after he refused a fight ensued after which Sahora was stabbed.
He was rushed to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries, she added.
Sabsook during the plea hearing noted that her client was a first time offender and was involved in a common law relationship and has a four year old daughter.
She had said while his actions cannot be excused the incident arose around brothers who were drinking and the accused has expressed remorse.
She asked that leniency and mercy be exercised, noting that the accused is young and there is hope for rehabilitation.
Sewsankar after entering his plea had asked that the court forgive him for everything that had happened. He said it was a mistake and they “scramble and fall to the ground and he get bore”.
Sewsankar, the father of the accused and the deceased who was present in court last week, had also asked that the judge have mercy on the accused. The man said that the accused has a four-year-old daughter who he will now have to take care of. “I beg for mercy for him. That is my son and I beg for him”.
“I forgive him”, the emotional father had said.
