Devendra Persaud, also known as “Fish Teeth,” was sentenced yesterday to 11 years in prison for the 2019 killing of fellow inmate Samuel Lyttle at the Lusignan Prison. The sentence was handed down by Justice Peter Hugh at the Demerara High Court.
During the sentencing, a probation report painted a troubling picture of Persaud’s behaviour while incarcerated. The report revealed that Persaud had been resistant to rehabilitation, frequently assaulting both inmates and prison officers. Despite being transferred to different prisons, his violent behaviour persisted. The probation officer also conveyed that some prison staff felt Persaud should not be allowed to re-enter society due to his abusive tendencies.
When given a chance to address the court, Persaud expressed remorse for Lyttle’s death, stating that the incident could have been avoided if they had been separated. He claimed that he never intended to kill Lyttle, asserting that his actions were in self-defence. Persaud claimed that on the day of the altercation, Lyttle had been harassing him repeatedly. In an attempt to defend himself, Persaud said, he grabbed a piece of wood, unaware that it had a nail, which ultimately delivered the fatal blow. This claim was also noted in the probation report.
Justice Hugh, surprised by Persaud’s assertion of self-defence, questioned his previous guilty plea. Despite this, Persaud requested that the court proceed with sentencing.
The judge took into account several factors, including victim impact statements and mitigating circumstances, before beginning the sentence at 24 years. Persaud’s guilty plea allowed for a one-third reduction, leaving him with 16 years. With five years already served in custody, his final sentence was reduced to 11 years.
Justice Hugh also acknowledged that during his time in prison, Persaud had completed anger management and carpentry courses as part of his rehabilitation.
Persaud was initially charged with murder after the July 2019 incident, where Lyttle, also known as “Tuff Chest,” was beaten at the Lusignan Prison. Lyttle, a 23-year-old labourer from Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, later succumbed to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
