“I was young and lacked guidance,” says man who killed former Top Cop’s brother
“I was young and lacked guidance. I would like an opportunity to continue my efforts and contribute meaningfully to society and further my studies.”
Those were the words of a 20-year-old man who, when he was 15, fatally stabbed former Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud’s brother Hemant Persaud in 2017 at the Stabroek Market.
Due to the fact that the man was charged as a juvenile, his particulars will be withheld for legal purposes.
Notwithstanding being initially indicted for murder, the man pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. He admitted that on February 19, 2017, during the course or furtherance of a robbery at Stabroek Market, he unlawfully killed Persaud.
Appearing before High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon, the 20-year-old begged for mercy while asking for another chance to be a productive member of society.
“I would like an opportunity to continue my efforts and contribute meaningfully to society and further my studies. I just begging the honourable court to have mercy and leniency on me. Give me an opportunity to correct my wrong.”
After addressing the court, he was remanded to prison for sentencing on September 26. Attorney-at-Law Alaira Murphy-Goodman represented the confessed killer while State Counsel Muntaz Ali appeared for the prosecution.
Persaud, called “Bim,” of Affiance Village, Essequibo Coast, was stabbed to death on February 19, 2017.
Following the stabbing, the man made good his escape, while Persaud was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The 20-year-old man was charged in 2017. Following a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) in February 2018, he was committed to stand trial at the Demerara High Court after a Magistrate ruled that a prima facie case was made against him.
