Almost five years after he brutally chopped his 55-year-old mother-in-law, Bibi Khan and his nine-year-old stepdaughter, Ashley Boohoo to death, Joshua Franklin was this morning handed two life sentences for the crimes with the possibility of parole only after serving 30 years imprisonment. Franklin, 48, was indicted by the state for the December 18, 2014 murders of Khan and Boodhoo. He, however, opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter.
Due to reports that his reputed wife, Geeta Boodhoo, was having an affair with another man, Franklin, on the day in question smashed through the window of their Phase Two Tuschen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, where he armed himself with two cutlasses. He then proceeded to chop his reputed wife, mother-in-law, stepdaughter, and Floyd Drakes, 30, who were all seated in the living room of the home consuming alcohol.
Drakes, who Franklin suspected was his wife’s “sweet man” also died. Franklin and his son were jointly charged in relation to the murder of Drakes. The charge against the son was discharged and Franklin was committed to stand trial at the High Court. As it is, the State is yet to present the indictment against Franklin for Drakes’ murder.
In his address to the court, Franklin said he was very sorry. In fact, he told a probation officer that he lost self-control on the day in question.
He also related to the probation officer that he was aware of his wife having several affairs, but was afraid to leave their relationship as he wondered what life would be life without her.
Franklin’s lawyer, Mark Conway pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy. The lawyer told the court that his client has been remorseful for his actions and has been attending anger management classes during his time in incarceration. This, the lawyer added, is in an effort to correct his shortcomings to ensure that he is prepared for reintegration into society.
However, State Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs stressed that Franklin used his skill as a cane cutter to slaughter an innocent child. The prosecutor reminded the court that little Ashley was attempted to run away when Franklin pulled her back and chopped her. Further, Prosecutor Gibbs added that it is clear that Franklin’s actions were intentional since he was armed with two cutlasses.
Justice Sandil Kissoon upbraided Franklin for his actions and told him that his conduct cannot be justified. The Judge added that he noted from a probation report, the history of domestic violence between Franklin and his reputed wife and told him that the law provided him with a remedy to end their relationship.
Justice Kissoon imposed the life sentence with the possibility of parole after 30 years for each of the two killings. The judge ordered that the two sentences are to run concurrently.
