FORTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD Vivian Ross, a shoemaker of Rose Hall, Corentyne, Berbice, was sentenced to four years in prison on Wednesday for killing a friend he attacked while they were drinking.

Justice Jo Ann Barlow of the Berbice High Court jailed Ross, also known as “Jerry,” ordering that he be credited for time spent on remand, after reviewing pre-sentencing reports.

Ross was first arraigned for the capital offence of murder in February, but as part of a plea bargain with the state, he agreed to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter.

He thus acknowledged that he unlawfully killed 43-year-old Wayne Sundarsingh, also known as ‘Wino,’ on July 13, 2018, at Rose Hall, Corentyne.

Ross apologised to the deceased man’s family during a brief statement at his sentencing hearing on Wednesday. He blamed his actions that day on drinking too much rum.

Meanwhile, Justice Barlow indicated during her sentencing remarks that she believed Ross’ apologies to the deceased’s family was sincere.
The Judge ultimately sentenced Ross to four years in prison and ordered that the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) enrol him in counselling programmes exclusively for violent offenders.

After the offender would have been released from jail, the judge encouraged him to reduce his alcohol consumption. Senior Counsel Murseline Bacchus represented the convict.

The case for the prosecution was presented by State Counsel Muntaz Ali.

Sundarsingh, a painter, of Fifth Street, Swamp Section, Rose Hall, was allegedly imbibing with friends at Ross’s home when he was hit in the head by Ross.

Several hours later his family was informed that he was in an unconscious state at the said residence and that they should collect him. After relatives went to investigate, they found him barely breathing, while bleeding from his ears and head.

He was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital and subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital, but succumbed whilst on his way to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

When Ross was apprehended by police, he allegedly informed detectives that he dealt the now-dead man a cuff, resulting in him falling and hitting his head on the ground.

Sundarsingh died from haemorrhaging caused by blunt trauma to the head.