Christian convert gets 15 years for killing friend
JUSTICE Winston Patterson yesterday sentenced Chandradat Persaud to 15 years imprisonment for killing his friend of eight years, Jai Bissoondial called Danny on June 16, 2006, at Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice.

The convict, alias ‘Buck Man’, pleaded not guilty last week to the capital offence of murder and attorney-at-law Mr. Michael Baird was assigned by the State, as his Defence Counsel.

But, after the testimony of eight Prosecution witnesses, Persaud pleaded guilty to the lesser crime of manslaughter and his sentence was postponed, pending delivery of a probation report on his background.

Reviewing the evidence in the case, prior to sentencing, Justice Patterson noted that among the 12 injuries suffered by the victim was concussion, abrasions and lacerations to the body.

The judge said the injuries were excessive and described the act as hideous and observed that Bissoondial had no chance to live as he was battered even as he lay face down.

Justice Patterson said the post mortem report, by Dr. Nehaul Singh, revealed that the wounded man died within minutes of the wounds being inflicted on him.

“There was mud in his stomach, injuries to every part of his body. That is unacceptable. It was merciless. Yet, you are seeking mercy. No chance was given to him. He was lying face down when, according to the doctor’s notes, you took a heavy instrument, at least three to four centimetres in width and more than eight centimetres in length, to lash him at the back of his head.

There is evidence of fingernail impression. The cause of death is listed as cerebral haemorrhage, due to a fractured skull, as a result of blunt cranial trauma, compounded with a fractured rib,” the judge recited.

Directing his remarks to the prisoner, who stood in the dock with his head bowed, Justice Patterson said: “You thrashed him, battered him to the extent that he was left motionless. What I don’t understand and do not accept is your lawyer saying that the now deceased had inflicted several chops to your face and head. It’s preposterous. You would not have been here if that was so. Indeed, I see a scar on your face. But you have used more force than necessary. You and the deceased were friends. You visited at each other’s homes. If your act was not devilish and stupid, nothing else is.”

GRUESOME CRIME
The judge said: “The sentence of the Court is for you to remember that you committed a gruesome crime, which you must pay for.”

Earlier, Probation and Welfare Officer, Mr. Mitford Warde had reported that the killer is the second of five children born at Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, to Rajmit Looch, a former cane harvester, now dead and Nandranie Persaud, a security guard.

Following an illness, which developed through his father’s alcohol drinking habit, the family migrated to Betsy Ground, East Canje, where the prisoner, eventually, concluded his schooling at 12 years of age.

The compilation said that, with no formal life skill, the pre-teen sought employment as a labourer with various employers before being employed at Rose Hall Sugar Estate, as a cane harvester.

The father of five and grandfather of three had described his life as a difficult one while he lived with his alcoholic father.

His neighbours, however, offered conflicting views of him, some claimed that he was abusive, particularly to his wife when he imbibed liquor, others declaring that he was feared because of the rage he displayed and more maintaining that he was polite, kind-hearted and a converted Christian.

While on remand, Persaud changed from being a Pentecostal to a Seventh-Day Adventist, displaying a high level of commitment and is involved in the Prison Ministry, the report said.

Warde said, while Persaud acknowledged his debt to society, scientific and social research attests to the fact that the children of alcoholic parents are very likely to develop serious anti-social behaviour and follow the footsteps as substance abusers.

In a mitigation plea, Baird said Persaud, 43, had known the victim for eight years and they used to visit each other and partake of meals in their respective homes.

TRAGIC DAY
Defence Counsel said, on the tragic day, Persaud, whilst passing the home of Bissoondial, jocularly asked: “Danny, thief man raiding the village and you sleeping?”

Persaud enquired to whom Bissoondial was speaking and ventured out of his yard with the cutlass, chopping the latter several times.

A struggle ensued between the two men and an eyewitness took away the weapon, advising the men to return to their homes.

The victim obeyed the advice but Persaud went to Bissoondial’s home, dragged him out and dealt him several lashes about the body with a piece of wood, the Court heard.

Baird admitted that the prisoner used more force than necessary, resulting in the death of a friend.

Counsel said Persaud, who spent almost four years behind bars awaiting trial, is a first offender and is remorseful over the magnitude of his folly.