A Corentyne fisherman who last month was found guilty of murder after he set two persons alight in a boat in 2011 was on Monday given two life sentences at the High Court in Berbice.
Ravendranauth Mohanlall also known as ‘Fred’, faced the indictment that on September 6, 2011 just off the Albion foreshore he murdered Beeram Motee Lall, 45, and 15-year-old Reynard Fernandes called ‘Renee.’
Mohanlall was charged with the offence in October 2011, and when the matter was brought up to the High Court in Berbice in 2014, 2018, and 2022 Mohanlall was not deemed fit to stand trial following psychiatric evaluations.
However, this year Mohanlall was deemed fit and underwent a trial in September before Justice Sandil Kissoon, after which he was found guilty of the murders.
Justice Kissoon at the sentencing on Monday gave Mohanlall two life sentences with eligibility for parole after completing thirty years in prison.
The state was represented by Attorney at Law, Muntaz Ali while the accused was represented by Attorney at Law, Stacy Goodings.
Reports are that the two fishermen were sitting in a boat around 9:30 pm out at sea on September 6, 2011, when the accused instructed them to “pull up the seine and head for shore.” He then reportedly threw a bucket of water at them but they ignored him.
It was stated that shortly after Mohanlall returned with a substance and threw it at them. He then flicked a lighter and threw it at them setting them alight.
Despite being in severe pain the men managed to subdue Mohanlall and steer the boat to shore.
They were rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where they were admitted and subsequently transferred separately to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
However, one of the victims succumbed on September 9, 2011, while the other passed away on September 12, 2011.
