-mental state still in question
Elroy Withrite’s sentencing for the 2019 murder of Andrew Drakes has been postponed again and is now scheduled for early December.
Drakes was killed in Farm Village, East Bank Essequibo, and the case has since involved multiple court delays.
During the latest hearing, Justice Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus reviewed key testimonies from Drakes’ family members, read aloud by the prosecution, along with a report from psychiatrist, Meenawattie Rajkumar. Dr Rajkumar’s evaluation, conducted at the court’s request, assessed Withrite’s mental state. Both of her reports confirmed that Withrite is of sound mind, though he suffers from a substance abuse disorder. Dr. Rajkumar noted that with appropriate treatment, he could potentially reintegrate into society.
Additionally, the probation report presented a favourable view of Withrite, highlighting his expressed remorse and participation in prison programmes. Victim impact statements, shared by the prosecution, illustrated the grief of Drakes, family. However, two statements also expressed forgiveness toward Withrite, with hopes that he learns from his actions.
The judge has asked both the defence and the prosecution to provide precedents from similar cases to guide her in determining an appropriate sentence. In response, State Prosecutor Delon Fraser clarified that Withrite’s disorder is induced rather than stemming from a biological or medical condition. This drew a question from Withrite’s attorney, Kezia Williams, about any implications of drug use while in custody, which Fraser denied. Judge Isaacs-Marcus then explained her intent to review Withrite’s mental state at the time of the crime, which will be a key factor in sentencing.
The facts in the case reveal that Withrite and Drakes knew each other as residents of Farm, East Bank Essequibo. On June 8, 2019, witnesses reported a scream from Pump Station Street, where Drakes was found face down in a pool of blood, his body showing multiple injuries. Withrite was later arrested at the scene with a cutlass in his possession.
Under caution, Withrite admitted to an altercation with Drakes on June 7. The following day, armed with a cutlass, he attacked Drakes. Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh’s post-mortem examination on June 12 revealed the cause of death as hemorrhage and shock from eight severe cuts, confirming the violent nature of the attack.
