I need justice for my mom

Dear Editor,
ON April 2, 2019, John Hetsberger pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. Subsequently, I learnt that on April 5, 2019, he was sentenced to ten years, from which time served (five years) will be deducted.

I am writing to express the scepticism and outrage felt by our family at several aspects of this case.

On Friday, August 8, 2014, while my mother, Ann Mendonca, was in her kitchen, he entered through the half-open back door and hit my mother on the head, using a metal bar from our kitchen; strangled her, and placed a plastic bag over her head.

First, John Hetsberger (then 18 years old) confessed to the police that he murdered my mom (57 years old) in the manner described above. Therefore, reducing the charge from murder to manslaughter needs a proper explanation.

My family was never given even a phone call or visit to alert us that the matter was called in the High Court, despite many attempts to find out when the matter would be heard.  I even visited the DPP’s office towards the end of last year, and was told that I would be contacted early in March,which never occurred.

No family or close friend was there in court to represent my mother.  From reading  the newspapers and social media (which carried another woman’s photograph), the only reason offered by the defendant for his action was to tarnish the good name of my mother by stating that my mom was well-known as a “spiritualist”, and had done “something” (Stabroek News) or “works” (Kaieteur News) to his father that caused his death.  This slanderous declaration seems to have been concocted long after he had voluntarily confessed to the murder of my mom. No doubt, being the outspoken and fearless person that she was, she would have confronted him when he forced his way into our home.
My mom was well-liked and respected by all who knew her. She was a spiritual person; not a ‘spiritualist’, and attended her Christian church.

Hetsberger’s reward for ‘not wasting the court’s time’ seems to be a short sentence, while memories of the victim are now tainted by lingering questions of what ‘really happened’ between her and the defendant’s father.

Neither I nor my family was given an opportunity to have closure in the matter by simply being allowed to witness the sentencing. But is there ever ‘full closure’, especially when a life is so tragically taken away? I was not given an opportunity to look at the person who murdered my mother in the eye before he was carried away to prison. The next time I might see him is when he is free.

I believe that the sentence requires an explanation. Also, I want it to be clear that neither I nor my family believe in excessive sentences, and we are not calling for one in this case. My mom didn’t like the death penalty, and members of my family and I don’t believe that taking another life to fill the absence of a loved one is ‘getting justice’.

Nor are we questioning the young man’s remorse, which commanded so much attention in this case.

Again, I was not given the opportunity to see him break down in tears, or apologise to me for the wrong he did.   My family and I are concerned that my mother’s reputation not be stained by her killer. John Hestsberger needs all the help available in acknowledging that he was raised by an abusive father. I’m not here to throw stones. I have moved on as best as I could, and I feel that he has not forgiven himself, because, instead of owning up to his mistake, he tried to justify his actions. That’s not manslaughter; that’s murder.

Regards
Gregory DeSouza

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