AT YESTERDAY’S beginning of the re-trial for Alvin Gounga, he changed his plea from not guilty of murder to guilty of the lesser count of manslaughter,for the May 14, 2005 unlawful killing of his father-in-law with an arrow and bow.

His plea was submitted to Justice Navindra Singh by his attorney,Dexter Todd, in the Georgetown High Court on Monday.

After submissions by Todd, Justice Singh asked the accused if he would like to say anything,to which he replied: “I am sorry for what I did.”

In response, Justice Singh handed down his 11-year sentence and ordered that the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) deduct time already served.

Justice Singh told Gounga that he should prepare himself to be re-integrated into society and urged him to make a meaningful contribution to same upon his release.

His previous trial in the High Court was before Justice Roxane George and a 12-member jury. However, the jury could not arrive at a unanimous verdict and a re-trial was ordered.

Gounga pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter for the murder of Desmond Henry.The murder occurred at Five Star Backdam, Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD) on May 14, 2005.

According to the allegation, the accused is said to have shot Henry to death with his bow and arrow. The accused reportedly shot Henry following an argument over stolen gold.

Gounga was arrested shortly after the incident and has been incarcerated since 2005.

The state was represented by Siand Dhurjon and Tuanna Hardy.