A Region Seven miner was yesterday sentenced to eight years in jail for killing a man who reportedly intervened in an argument he and his wife were having.
Dionysius Macedo, called ‘Niggi,’ 54, of Tiger Creek, Region Seven, was arraigned virtually before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Suddie High Court.
In November, Macedo was arraigned before Justice Sewnarine-Beharry to answer to the capital offence of murder, however, he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. The charge states that on June 21, 2020, in Region Seven, he unlawfully killed Tamesh (only name given).
According to reports, on the day in question, Macedo and his wife were involved in a verbal dispute and a physical altercation ensued. The deceased, who was nearby and saw the altercation, reportedly intervened. However, Macedo became upset and dealt Tamesh several stabs and chops about his body with a cutlass before making good his escape. A report was made to the police and he was subsequently apprehended in some nearby bushes. It was also reported that the cutlass used was disposed of.
The matter was called on Monday for the probation report to be read to the court. The court heard that Macedo, a father of three, has a Christian background and is well behaved at the prison. The man’s attorney, Latchmi Dindayal, told the court that his client is remorseful and is asking for leniency. The judge then deferred the sentencing to consider the probation report.
During the sentencing hearing on Friday, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry considered the nature and gravity of the charge, that Macedo pleaded guilty to the charge and did not waste the court’s time. He was sentenced to eight years in jail and ordered that the prison authorities deduct the time he spent on remand from his sentence.
