DELON Henry, called ‘Nasty Man’, was on Thursday afternoon sentenced to 51 years imprisonment for the 2015 murder of Dexter Griffith at ‘Warlock” East Ruimveldt.

A 12-member jury found Henry guilty of the offence for which he stood indicted and the verdict was unanimous.

In handing down his sentence, Justice Sandil Kissoon told the court that he started at a base of 50 years from which he deducted three years for time served, but added four years for aggravating factors, such as the use of a firearm, the cruelty of the offence and premeditation.

The trial judge then sentenced the convict to a total of 51 years imprisonment.

After the sentence was handed down, the mother of the convict shouted out: “Your Worship, I need a word” but she was cautioned by the Court Marshal and asked to exit the courtroom. The sentence was imposed after a probation report was presented in court by Probation Officer Anand Sharma.

Early history and background
Giving a history of Henry’s early life and background, Sharma told the court that the convict was born at the GPHC to married parents and resided, prior to his incarnation, with his family at Lot 3 Houston Housing Scheme.

Henry, 28, benefitted from a primary education and exited the school system due to financial constraints after which he was employed at a wash bay and had another job.

His mother was the sole provider of the household in a single parent setting.

Sharma stated that in 2006, Henry was jailed for a series of robberies and released in 2014 and incarcerated again in 2015 for his involvement in the ‘Warlock’ murder.

The Probation Officer added that prison officials related that the convict was verbally abusive and did not comply with prison rules.

He noted that in the community where he resided before being jailed, older residents knew him but the younger ones did not.

Attitude to offence
The Probation Officer told the court that Henry denied his involvement in the matter.

Anand Sharma said the convict, at a young age, was influenced by his peers and spent most of his young life in the criminal justice system.

In his plea of mitigation, defence attorney Adrian Thompson told the court that the nickname of the accused was negatively used and that may have influenced the decision, as he pleaded with the court for mercy in his sentencing.

In response, state prosecutor Orinthia Schmidt said Henry was found guilty of the offence of murder and noted the injuries the victim suffered, having received six gunshots. She asked the court that a message be sent to society, given the offence, and asked for the maximum sentence to be imposed.

As the convict exited the court amidst heavily armed police officers, he smiled and waved from the police van as he was being transported to prison on Thursday afternoon as a large crowd lined the corridors of the Demerara High Court.

The mother of the deceased, Lavern Griffith, told the convict that she forgave him as she watched him being escorted to jail.

A post-mortem report presented by Dr. Nehaul Singh said Griffith died from shock and haemorrhage due to multiple gunshot wounds.

Griffith was shot six times to the body and left for dead in a gutter he fell into after receiving the injuries.

Henry was on trial for the September 29, 2015 murder of Dexter Griffith at ‘Warlock’ East Ruimveldt.

The accused pleaded not guilty and was represented by defence attorney Adrian Thompson while the state was led by Lisa Cave and Orinthia Schmidt.

In presenting the state’s case, Lisa Cave told the court that on the day in question, the accused shot and murdered the deceased, Dexter Griffith at ‘Warlock’.