Donald Grovesnor, also known as ‘Black Boy’, appeared yesterday before Justice Navindra Singh at the Georgetown High Court where he pled guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in the killing of Suraj Jailall, a cane harvester from Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara.
The judge accepted the plea and set sentencing for October 20.
Grovesnor, 25, of Sideline Dam, Sisters Village, had been charged with the murder of Jailall following an altercation on Sunday, March 27, 2019. Jailall, also known as ‘Nishal’, 29, succumbed to his injuries a day after being chopped in the head during the dispute.
According to reports, the two men had been drinking at a shop in their community when an argument escalated. Grovesnor allegedly left the scene to retrieve a cutlass after Jailall had picked up a stick during the quarrel. Jailall reportedly dropped the stick and was sitting down when Grovesnor returned and attacked him.
The victim suffered a severe wound to his face, which partially severed his ear. Despite seeking immediate medical treatment at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, Jailall’s condition worsened. He was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where a CT scan revealed a fractured skull. Jailall succumbed to his injuries on Monday, March 28, 2019.
Jailall’s family expressed frustration with both the handling of the medical treatment and the initial police response. According to his sister, Savitri Barran, despite her brother’s serious condition, the hospital’s treatment was not prompt, and the police failed to take a formal report of the incident when he first sought help.
Grovesnor was arrested the day after Jailall’s death and remained in custody until court proceedings commenced. The case has now moved toward sentencing following Grovesnor’s guilty plea.
