Leonard Charles of 5 Miles Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima – Waini), was today handed a seven year prison sentence after he admitted to killing his house guest “over wild meat” and “cassava bread.”
During a virtual hearing via Zoom, High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds imposed sentencing on Charles, a cash crop farmer for the crime.
At a previous court hearing, Charles pleaded not guilty to a manslaughter charge, thereby admitting that between October 5 and 6, 2017, he unlawfully killed Romel Gouveia called ‘White Boy.’
His sentencing was, however, deferred until today for a probation report. The accused was represented by lawyer Siand Dhurjon, while the case for the State was presented by Prosecutor Teriq Mohammed.
According to the facts of the matter, Gouveia, 20, also of Port Kaituma, lived with Charles and his wife, Margaret Fredericks. Between the days mentioned in the charge, Charles and the young man had a misunderstanding.
Charles arrived home cursing and entered the kitchen area where he saw Gouveia eating wild meat and cassava bread, much to his annoyance.
Court records show that Charles was unable to control his anger, and as a result, picked up a piece of wood and lashed Gouveia to the head. Charles was intoxicated at the time. His wife discovered the guest lying motionless on the floor and alerted her sister who contacted the police.
