Ithaca murder…
CONVICTED killer Gladstone Williamson, who confessed to slashing the throat of his reputed wife, Gertrude Veronica Benn, causing her death, will know his fate on February 22, when he re-appears before Justice Franklyn Holder at the Berbice Assizes. He also confessed to slitting the throats of Benn’s two juvenile relatives, Kerry Edwards and Samantha Charles, who survived the attack.
Sentencing was postponed pending a probation report on the prisoner’s background, a request made by defence counsel Charrandas Persaud.
The prisoner had earlier pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the capital charge of murder for which he had been indicted, but confessed to the lesser charge of manslaughter, which was accepted by the State.
In addition, he pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder committed on daughter of the deceased, Kerry, and her cousin, Samantha.
In a caution statement, Williamson told the police that Benn had moved out of their Levi Dam dwelling because of quarrels. She went to Ithaca to live with the children. However he would visit her home and beg her to return.
On May 7, 2009 after frying plantain chips, the couple proceeded to the Blairmont ground, West Bank Berbice, where they sold the bagged items, and shortly before midnight, while en route to the Ithaca home, a quarrel erupted and later intensified as they arrived at their destination.
Williamson became annoyed, removed a knife from his pants pocket, braced her to the bed, and cut her throat. Then he slit the throats of the two girls as they lay in bed.
The wounded woman, along with the two minors, were taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival, while the teenagers were admitted and remained for a week.
On May 11, 2009, a post mortem performed on Benn by Dr Vivikanand Brijmohan revealed the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage, along with an incise wound to the neck.
The prisoner who had fled the scene, remained at large for three days, and then he was captured in a canefield at West Canje, Berbice.
Williamson told investigators that the argument arose as he was pleading with Benn to return to the squatting area in the Berbice township. He said they also quarrelled over money and the children.
Questioned by the Court Registrar as to what he had to say prior to sentence being passed, the prisoner responded, “I am profoundly sorry for the occurrence of the incident. I would like to say sorry to the family, relatives and friends of Gertude Veronica Benn. My heartfelt regret to Samantha Charles and Kerry Edwards for the offence I have committed against them. They are not here,  [referring to the courtroom], but I am very sorry for the trauma and the experience they had to encounter at such a time in their lives.
‘Your Honour, I place myself at the mercy of the court and I beg that the court have mercy and leniency on me. I am deeply sorry for everything that happened and wished none had occurred.’
Continuing, as he gazed periodically through the window in the courtroom, Williamson said, ‘Your Honour, I have asked God for forgiveness, for everything that has occurred. Since I am in prison, I have changed my life, dramatically to the extent where I have come to understand that every living individual needs God in his life. If I had known God before, none of this would have taken place .But every day I ask God’s forgiveness, and I do hope that Samantha Charles, and Kerry Edwards along with relatives and friends of Gertrude Benn, the deceased, would be able someday to forgive me for what occurred. I do hope that the court will be able to forgive me for everything.’
Defence counsel Charrandas Persaud, in a mitigation plea, reiterated the need for leniency as his client had indeed expressed sincere remorse.