Afibia Yankana and Akeem Haymer were yesterday afternoon both handed life sentences after admitting mid-trial that it was they who had fatally stabbed Rawle Rodrigues during a robbery back in 2017.
When the matter came up for continuation yesterday before Justice Sandil Kissoon, at the High Court in Georgetown, the jointly-charged duo indicated through their attorneys, their intention to change their pleas.
They were then re-arraigned and pleaded not guilty to the capital offence on which they were originally indicted, but admitted guilt on the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Yankana called “Dougla” and Haymer called “Curry,” accepted that on January 20th, 2017, they unlawfully killed Rodrigues during a robbery.
After admitting their guilt, both Yankana and Haymer said that they were sorry for their actions, while their attorneys begged for lenience on their behalf.
For his part, Yankana said “I really sorry how this thing happen. I am very sorry about this incident. Like I don’t know what more to say right now. I am really sorry about what the deceased’s family has to go through right now.”
Before imposing the sentences, Justice Kissoon said he found the crime to have been part of a premeditated design, calculated to deprive the now dead man of his belongings while noting that nothing less than life sentences would suffice.
He said that a strong message needed to be sent to potential offenders in bid to deal with this prevalent offence plaguing society.
Upbraiding the two men for their actions, the judge told them that being as able-bodied as they are, they ought to have been gainfully employed as opposed to making a career out of crime, underscoring their previous convictions for robbery.
The judge said that having reoffended and “graduating” to killing someone, the two have shown by their conduct that they are unwilling to reform or that they have learnt anything meaningful from having been previously incarcerated.
In the circumstances, Justice Kissoon informed the two that they would be sentenced to life in prison. He further ordered that they are to be eligible for parole only after serving 15 years.
Yankana was represented by defence attorney Rachel Bakker, while Haymer was represented by attorney Lawrence Harris.
The state’s case meanwhile, was led by Prosecutor Lisa Cave.
Rodrigues, formally of Leopold Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, was fatally stabbed during a robbery at the Dairy bus park (at La Parfaite Harmonie) at around 9.30 on the night in question.
