Oral arguments conclude in ‘shallow grave’ murder appeal
Lakeraj Fredericks
Lakeraj Fredericks

– decision date pending

THE Court of Appeal, on Wednesday, heard the final oral arguments in the case filed by Lakeraj Fredericks, who was convicted of the 2011 murder of his brother-in-law, and is expected to announce a date for decision soon.

Clifton Bonus

Fredericks is challenging his conviction and 65-year prison sentence.
In 2017, a12-member jury convicted him for the June 4, 2011 murder of Clifton Bonus and he was subsequently sentenced by Justice Navindra Singh.
In his appeal, Fredericks is arguing that his conviction cannot stand given the evidence adduced during the trial. He is also contending that the sentence is excessive.
He is seeking to have the sentence of the trial Judge set aside or reversed.

The appeal was heard by the court several times via Zoom. On Wednesday, Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices of Appeal, Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory heard the final arguments. The court, at the end of the hearing, announced that when a date has been set, notices will be sent out to the respective parties in the case.
Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Diana Kaulesar-O’Brien is representing the State, while attorney-at-law, Rachael Bakker, is on record for Fredericks.
According to reports, Bonus’s body was found buried in a shallow grave at ‘Old England’ Back Dam, Linden, days after he was reported missing. Bonus, called “Mutts”, was shot twice in the head with a .32 pistol before he was buried almost three feet deep beneath groves of cannabis.
It was reported that Fredericks and the victim had an argument over some missing marijuana seeds, moments before he (Bonus) was shot and killed. Fredericks was subsequently arrested and charged with the crime.

Fredericks told the High Court during his trial that he was sorry for what had happened. He stated that he had no choice that night and that he bought rum which he consumed with the deceased. Further, he had admitted that he was not in the right frame of mind.

Fredericks is also serving a 22-year sentence for the June 11, 2011 killing of Vernon Romaldo after he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter before Justice Sandil Kissoon in the Demerara High Court in 2018.

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