-for murder of reputed wife, will have to serve 50 yrs before parole

JUSTICE Navindra Singh yesterday sentenced 23-year-old woman killer Delon Gordon, called ‘Popcorn’, to 83 years’ imprisonment for throwing kerosene on his reputed wife Natasha Johnson, 23, and burning her to death on July 11, 2012 at Better Hope Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara.

The house was also destroyed by the flames, while an infant was miraculously saved from a fiery death.

The trial before Justice Singh and a jury concluded at the Demerara Assizes on October 15, when Gordon was found guilty by a unanimous verdict.

Defence Attorneys were Miss Dawn Holder and Mr. Raymond Ali. Mrs. Judith Mursalin prosecuted.

The defence asked for a probation report prior to sentencing, and this was granted. That report was presented yesterday.

Questioned by the prosecutrix, Probation Officer Orleane Matthews admitted that she did not contact any relatives of the deceased, nor did she visit the Sparendaam Police Station. The prosecutrix noted that if she had done so, she would have found that numerous reports had been made to the station by the deceased.
Had she contacted the family of the deceased, she would have learnt that the children of the deceased have been scattered in all directions since her death.

Had she checked with the authorities, she would have learnt that the accused had stabbed another inmate in June 2012 and had been charged.

“Do you consider this to be a balanced probation report?” the prosecutrix asked. “Does your training and experience in these matters not ensure that you prepare a report of all persons affected by this offence, to assist this Honourable Court in assessing this matter? Isn’t that the reason why you have the police file for weeks, to know the parties involved?”

Miss Holder was absent from court, but Mr. Ali and the trial judge also expressed dissatisfaction with the Probation Report.

Tessa Mc Garrel, Prison Welfare Officer, also submitted a report in relation to the accused. She admitted she had the prison records but did not provide details of his charge. She said she wrote based on conversations with the accused.

In a plea of mitigation, Mr. Ali begged for leniency for the accused. He observed that, from the home, there was volatility in the relationship because a third party — children father of the deceased -– was also involved.

Prosecutrix Mrs. Mursalin asked the judge to consider in the report the attitude of the accused to the offence – he insisted on his innocence even though he had been found guilty by a jury based on overwhelming evidence against him.

“These reports appear to paint the accused as an angel. Please, Your Honour, remember Natasha Johnson, a young mother who died on her 22nd birthday in the most horrific manner – being burnt alive by the man she loved – this accused. He has shown no remorse, even in lengthy conversations with the Probation Officer. He has shown no concern for his child with the deceased, at that time she was four months old.

“Did he not expect arguments and volatility? He was presumptuous enough to move in the house with the deceased and her children father, and had him thrown out”.

The prosecutrix told the judge, “These reports are absolutely poor, and do not assist me. However, I have an insight into your mind, because you have spoken with these officers. The prisoner has harboured ill feelings towards Natasha Johnson even after her death. He called her a ‘Lady of the Night’.

Directing her remarks to the accused, Mrs. Mursalin said, “You should have moved out, not throw kero on her and set her on fire. This is one of the worst deaths I have seen in the cases I have dealt with so far.”

Justice Singh, who normally begins his murder sentences with 60 years, told the convict: “I am adding five years to your sentence for premeditation; 10 years for exceptional brutality; six years because it is domestic violence, and five years because three small children were in the house and the house was completely destroyed by fire; and three years taken off for time served.

“Eighty-three years in prison. A minimum of 50 years must be served before you can be eligible for parole.”

Gordon was expressionless as the sentence was passed; and after the judge had left the bench, Natasha Johnson’s family cried as they rushed to hug the prosecutrix to express appreciation for the work she had done.

(By George Barclay)