With credit for time served and other deductions from an 18-year sentence, Faizal Bacchus was yesterday released from prison over the 2015 killing of proprietor of the Regent Multiplex Mall, Ganesh Ramlall.
A week ago, Bacchus pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter, accepting that he, together with others, had unlawfully killed the businessman during a robbery at the man’s La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara home on July 5th, 2015.
Bacchus, called ‘Javid’ had originally been indicted for the capital charge of murder, but at his arraignment last week, pleaded to the lesser offence. His sentencing had been deferred.
At a hearing on Monday, Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall imposed a sentence of 18 years on the former taxi driver, but made a number of deductions, which included among other things, for his early plea.
Following the various deductions, the final remaining sentence of 6 ½ years was also discounted, since the Judge ordered that credit be given for the period the offender had spent on remand awaiting trial.
In the circumstances, he has been released from prison.
The prosecution’s facts were 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 had previously 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 had 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.
At his client’s arraignment, defence attorney Mark Conway had begged the Court for clemency on behalf of his client.
Conway had advanced for the judge’s consideration what he described as Bacchus’ impeccable prison behaviour; citing that his client had been actively involved in sporting activities and attended church services regularly.
The lawyer had 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, had said that he was remorseful for his action.
Ramlall, popularly known as ‘Boyo,’ had been shot multiple times about the body, including once to his head.
