HIGH Court Judge Jo-Ann Barlow, on Tuesday, October 01, 2019, sentenced a man to serve 19 years’ imprisonment for killing a Brazilian miner eight years ago, in Central Rupununi.
Wycliff Smith called ‘Tarzan’ and ‘Wapuy’, 40, was initially charged for murder, but he opted to plead to the lesser count of manslaughter.

He pleaded guilty to the charge which read that, on January 21, 2011, at in the Rupununi District, he unlawfully killed Armano Da Silva.

State Prosecutor Sarah Martin told the court that Smith and DaSilva were known to each other. On the day in question, the men had a confrontation which resulted in DaSilva arming himself with a shotgun and discharging several rounds at Smith.
Smith escaped without any injuries but later returned with a shotgun he had borrowed from a friend and opened fire at DaSilva.

DaSilva died from the injuries received, and, in a caution statement to the police, Smith admitted killing him.

Attorney-at-law Maxwell McKay represented Smith, who told the court that his client was sorry for his actions and he expressed remorse.
McKay stressed that for the past eight years his client had been on remand and did not waste the court’s time.

However, the attorney argued that his client was provoked by DaSilva.
Justice Barlow told the court that gun violence is prevalent in today’s society and the court cannot condone persons using firearms to settle their disputes.

Smith was sentenced to 19 years’ imprisonment and the Judge ordered that the prison authorities deduct the time he spent on remand from his sentence.
He was also ordered to attend anger management classes while in prison.