Former taxi driver Faizal Bacchus now awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to the 2015 killing of proprietor of the Regent Multiplex Mall Ganesh Ramlall, who was popularly known as ‘Boyo.’
Bacchus, called ‘Javid’ had been indicted with the capital offence, but pleaded not guilty at his arraignment this morning.
He, however, accepted guilt on the lesser charge of manslaughter, admitting that, in the company of others, he unlawfully killed the businessman during a robbery at the man’s La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara home on July 5th, 2015.
Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall has deferred sentencing to Thursday morning at 9.
The prosecution’s facts are that Ramlall had just returned home some minutes after midnight on the morning in question when he was shot and killed by bandits who then proceeded to also rob him.
Prosecutor Narissa Leander told the court that following investigations, police arrested Bacchus who provided a detailed account of what had transpired on the fateful morning of the shooting.
She said he gave lawmen a caution statement in which he relayed the role he played as “lookout” as well as that of his alleged accomplices.
Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford said that Bacchus has always been and continues to be in full cooperation with the police and prosecution.
Against this background she said that the State had no objection to the plea in mitigation from defence attorney Mark Conway, for the Court to be lenient toward his client when passing sentence.
Conway advanced for the judge’s consideration what he described as Bacchus’ impeccable prison behaviour; citing that his client has been actively involved in sporting activities and attends church services regularly.
The lawyer also asked the Court to consider that his client had accepted responsibility for his action at the first-given opportunity, thus saving considerable time in otherwise having to conduct a trial.
Conway on behalf of the now 27-year-old man, said that he is remorseful for his action, to the extent that he continues to cooperate with the police for prosecution of the case.
Following all the submissions, Justice Morris-Ramlall announced that she will pass sentence on Thursday morning.
The deceased had been shot multiple times about the body, including once to his head.
