Eustace Abrams, the accused in the 2016 unlawful killing of Orlando La Cruz, was yesterday sentenced to 15 years behind bars for the crime.
Abrams was convicted for the 2016 unlawful killing of the 40-year-old Pomeroon miner and following the delivery of a probation report, he was sentenced by Justice Brassington Reynolds in the Hugh Court.
La Cruz was killed at a camp at Jack and Vieira Backdam, North West District.
Initial police investigations had revealed that the victim and others were drinking inside the camp, when an argument erupted over the refusal by the now dead man to perform oral sex on another, who was armed with a shotgun. Police had said that as a result, the armed suspect loaded the firearm with a cartridge that was given to him by the other suspect and he shot the victim in the right side of his neck, resulting in his death.
At the sentencing yesterday, Justice Reynolds said that the time spent on remand will be deducted from Abrams’ sentence. He also noted that he is aware that Abrams was not in favour of the verdict and he said it is his hope that in time Abrams will have discussions with persons who may better explain the joint enterprise and participation in the circumstances of the nature in which he was indicted. “You were properly indicted for your participation,” Justice Reynolds told the man.
He said that in handing down the sentence he was mindful that Abrams has been deemed a real prospect for rehabilitation after imprisonment and he hopes that he will use the time behind bars to detox himself from abuse of alcohol, which he said is to blame for circumstances the man is facing. The judge said that “drinking to a stupor” has become a norm among Guyanese men.
Defence attorney Rachael Bakker, who represented Abrams, in a plea of mitigation, reminded the court that he was convicted on a lesser count of manslaughter and that her client had been given a favourable report from the prison authority and the community. Bakker said that her client deeply regrets the occurrence and has shown profound remorse. She also said that Abrams was adamant that it was not his intent to kill La Cruz.
According to the probation report, read to the court by Probation and Social Services Officer Anand Sharma, the 34-year-old pork-knocker had a difficult childhood due to the passing of his father. He grew up in Matthews Ridge and was thrown into work life immediately after his father died. He was in form one at the Matthews Ridge Primary Top at the time. Abrams soon started his own family and now has four children, ages ranging from age six to 15. He is currently the sole breadwinner for his family.
The probation officer told the court that according to the man’s evidence, he was waiting when an argument ensued between La Cruz and his co-accused. The argument was followed by a loud bang, which led the other man to run past him. Sharma said that the prison authority has reported that Abrams has not been undisciplined and had even used his time behind bars to write CXC Mathematics, for which he was awarded a Grade IV in the subject.
The judge said that these circumstances were noted when he made his decision. He explained to Abrams that the offence warrants 10 to 18 years behind bars. He explained that the dangerous weapon used in the killing has been considered, as well as the close range in which this weapon was used against an unarmed man. Hence, the upper end of the scale was used as the final decision for the sentencing.
The state’s case was presented by Prosecutor Tyra Bakker.
