JOSHUA O’Neil has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for the murder of 33-year-old Marlon Peters, which happened on May 9, 2020, at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
His sentence was handed down by Demerara High Court Judge, Justice Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, who ordered that the convict must serve a minimum of 15 years before he is eligible for parole.
Defence Attorney Ronald Bostwick represented O’Neil. State Counsel Alvaro Ramotar and State Counsel Marisa Edwards appeared on behalf of the prosecution.

Peters, also a resident of Friendship, EBD, was walking home around 21:45 hours when O’Neil, 31, approached him near a shop. O’Neil, who resides in the same village, then confronted Peters about a cell phone that had allegedly been stolen while they were in the interior.
An argument ensued, but Peters opted to walk away. O’Neil then tackled Peters from behind, stabbing him multiple times with a knife. The attack left Peters with severe injuries, including stab wounds to his right upper abdomen and right upper back. Despite efforts to save him, Peters was pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, EBD.

Following the attack, O’Neil fled into the nearby bush, but was subsequently apprehended. Police investigators at the scene uncovered a black-handled kitchen knife.