Linden resident, Colwyn Arthur was yesterday afternoon sentenced to 15 years in jail for the 2018 killing of Claude `Sonno’ DeJonge, who at the time shared a relationship with a woman Arthur was also once involved with.
Arthur, called `Cross Eye,’ was initially indicted for murder, but pleaded guilty last month to the lesser offence of man-slaughter; admitting that on May 10th, 2018 he unlawfully killed the 40-year-old taxi driver at his reputed wife’s 1074 Cinderella City, Mackenzie, Linden home.
Justice Kissoon had deferred sentencing to yesterday pending a probation report.
The probation and social services officer who presented the report said that interviews with Arthur’s family revealed that while he is a caring and helpful individual, he has had anger management issues.
The officer said that persons in his neighbourhood had described him as both respectful and helpful.
The officer said, too, that the now 36-year-old former member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was described by prison authorities as respectful and peaceful, adding that he holds the responsibilities of an orderly and brush-cutter
In his address to the court, Arthur said that he was sorry for what he had done, and begged the family of the deceased for forgiveness, even as he told the judge that he has already enlisted in anger management classes to better his attitude and life.
He also begged the judge for lenience.
In a mitigating plea, defence attorney Rachael Bakker echoed the requests made by the offender.
Sister of the deceased, Charlene DeJonge-Hope in a victim impact statement spoke about the effect her brother’s death continues to have on the family, while noting that he is terribly missed.
In imposing sentence, Justice Kissoon said that he had considered both the aggravating and mitigating circumstances.
The judge said that no “blanket brush” can be used in imposing sentence and that each case must be dealt with by its peculiar circumstances.
Justice Kissoon said that he had considered Arthur’s remorse, the fact that he had been a member of the disciplined services for some seven years, that fact that he has no previous convictions and the fact that he had pleaded at the earliest given opportunity.
The judge said, too, that he had considered the offender’s “relative youth” at the time the offence was committed, which he says along with the steps being made at rehabilitation, shows potential for reintegration to society.
Regarding the aggravating factors, however, the judge noted the use of a deadly weapon and the multiple injuries which the deceased had sustained, but stressed that those did not outweigh the mitigating circumstances.
The judge commenced the sentence at a base of 25 years from which he made a number of deductions for mitigating factors, finally resting at a sentence of 15 years.
Police investigations had revealed that Arthur, who once shared a relationship with DeJonge’s reputed wife, would still visit her home; and did so the night before the killing when he was confronted by the now deceased.
An argument ensued and Arthur had left after the police were summoned.
Prosecutor Tyra Bakker had said that at about 00:10 hrs on the fateful day DeJonge and the woman were asleep when they were confronted by an armed Arthur, who gained entry via an open window and during another altercation, stabbed DeJonge before fleeing the scene.
Bakker had said that Arthur later gave police an oral statement admitting the offence, in which he related that because DeJonge had threatened and called the police on him, he went into the house and stabbed him.
