Strathspey man sentenced to life in prison for brutal murder of mother-in-law
Linden Junior Isaacs
Linden Junior Isaacs

DESPITE his desperate plea for leniency, 32-year-old Linden Junior Isaacs has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of his mother-in-law, whom he stabbed 14 times with an ice pick.

Justice Sandil Kissoon ruled that the convict will be required to serve at least 25 years in prison before he can apply for parole.

With attorney Ronald Bostwick representing him, Isaacs, formerly of Strathspey, East Coast Demerara (ECD), pleaded guilty to the capital offence of murder, throwing himself at the mercy of the court.

According to earlier reports, the tragic incident unfolded around 14:30hrs on May 11, 2020. The victim, Velma Pickering, 56, was at her Vryheid’s Lust, ECD home with her three-year-old grandson when Isaacs launched a vicious assault inside the first bedroom of her house.

Isaacs used an ice pick to stab Pickering approximately 14 times. Despite her life-threatening injuries, Pickering managed to flee her home, desperately seeking help from her neighbours. However, she collapsed on a nearby bridge before she could reach to safety.

Velma Pickering

Pickering was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where she was pronounced dead. A post-mortem examination revealed that she had died from shock and hemorrhage caused by multiple stab wounds. Isaacs attempted to flee the scene after the attack but was apprehended by alert citizens who handed him over to ranks at the Sparendaam Police Station.

It was later revealed that Pickering had frequently intervened in her daughter’s turbulent relationship with Isaacs, who had been abusive toward her daughter for over four years.

In outlining his statement of aggravating factors, state prosecutor, Attorney Delon Fraser stated that, among other points, Pickering was robbed of the opportunity to live a full and successful life. He stated that after repeatedly stabbing the woman, primarily in her upper abdomen, Isaacs abandoned her, leaving the scene without offering any assistance.

He also observed that Isaacs showed no remorse for his actions.

According to Fraser, the murder weapon was 10 inches in length. Given the serious nature and prevalence of the offence, the prosecutor urged the judge to impose a sentence that would send a strong message to Isaacs and potential offenders, underscoring that such criminal behaviour will not be tolerated in society.

Meanwhile, the victim’s family submitted an impact statement to the court, sharing that they are still struggling to cope with the loss of their loved one.

Leon Roberts, Pickering’s son, told the court that he and his siblings are devastated by the loss of their mother. “She was our foundation. We turned to her for strength and guidance. We live with anger. No one should have to lose their life in this way,” he said.

A probation report revealed that Isaacs’s relationship with the now dead woman’s daughter was plagued by violence. It also concluded that he was the product of a broken home and had been a victim of abuse during his childhood.
Attorney Bostwick urged the court to show leniency toward his client, noting that Isaacs had expressed remorse and pleaded guilty, thereby sparing the court from a lengthy trial.

When Justice Kissoon asked if he had any final words before sentencing, Isaacs turned to Pickering’s children, including his ex-partner, seated in the courtroom, and said: “I am very much sorry for the pain and suffering I’ve caused you all. I am begging for your forgiveness; I made a mistake.” He then apologised to Justice Kissoon and pleaded for leniency.

HEINOUS CRIME

In his sentencing remarks, the judge described Pickering’s murder as “heinous”, noting that it was committed with immeasurable cruelty. He highlighted that the woman was stabbed multiple times, targeting her vital organs. He detailed the prolonged intimate partner violence between Isaacs and Pickering’s daughter, highlighting the failure of the legal system to protect victims.

For instance, he mentioned that Isaacs had struck his partner in the head with a hammer while she was pregnant. The judge noted that due to the abuse she endured, Pickering’s daughter ended her relationship with Isaacs and returned to live with her mother.

Despite police reports of prior abuse, he said no intervention was made. The judge stated that as a result of the severe psychological and physical trauma endured by Pickering’s now six-year-old grandson who witnessed the attack, the child is still receiving therapy.

Justice Sandil Kissoon

Justice Kissoon stressed the importance of imposing harsh penalties to deter such crimes.
Citing the prevalence of domestic violence-related murders in society, the judge stated that this case justified an indeterminate sentence, such as life in prison.

Justice Kissoon described the situation as a crisis, stating, “The prevalence of brutal killings by current and former intimate partners, who subject their victims to physical violence, sexual violence, and cruelty beyond contemplation, has escalated to the point of a crisis…”

He characterised the situation as an epidemic of violence against vulnerable individuals.

Justice Kissoon declined to grant Isaacs the usual one-third sentence reduction for an early guilty plea, noting that the plea appeared to be “tactical” given the overwhelming evidence against him. However, he did give Isaacs credit for the time spent in pre-trial custody.

In addition to the life sentence, Justice Kissoon ordered that Isaacs participate in educational programmes to aid his rehabilitation while incarcerated.

The judge also directed that he be enrolled in programmes designed for individuals convicted of crimes related to intimate-partner violence.

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