David Smith, a businessman who pleaded guilty to killing his cousin by stabbing him with an arrow during an argument at a Cuyuni River mining camp, was on Friday sentenced to seven years behind bars.
Smith, 33, of Bamboo Landing, Region Seven, was sentenced by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Suddie High Court, moments after he apologised for committing the crime moments.
Smith, who was initially charged with the murder of Dave Boyal, pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. It was alleged that on March 22, at Black Water Backdam, Cuyuni River, he killed Dave Boyal.
The man’s probation report was read to the court on Monday, when the matter was deferred for the judge to consider the report. According to the probation report, the deceased’s family has forgiven Smith.
Given the chance to address the court before his sentencing, he said that he was sorry for what happened and that he was intoxicated when he committed the act. Smith has maintained that he cannot recall what happened on the day of the fatal altercation. He was represented by Latchmi Dindayal.
Before imposing the sentence, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry said she took into consideration the nature and gravity of the offence and also that a dangerous weapon was used to kill the victim. She also acknowledged that the convict threw himself at the mercy of the court. She also reprimanded him and said that as an adult he should know better. He was sentenced to seven years behind bars and she ordered that the prison authorities deduct the time he spent on remand. He was remanded to prison in March, 2019, to await trial.
It was previously reported that Boyal, 19, and other workers were in their hammocks when Smith, who appeared to be intoxicated, entered the camp and began to cut down the hammocks. Boyal intervened and attempted to persuade him to stop but was stabbed with the arrow during the argument. He was taken to the Bartica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
