–sentencing deferred

TROY Griffith, a 30-year-old taxi driver, has pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of his fellow driver, Quincy “Baloo” Weekes, in 2022.

Griffith entered his guilty plea before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Demerara on Tuesday. Initially denying the manslaughter charge, Griffith changed his plea during the hearing.

Before accepting Griffith’s plea, Justice Singh sought clarification on whether the accused fully understood the consequences of pleading guilty. The judge emphasised that by doing so, Griffith was waiving his right to a trial and accepting mandatory prison time.
Griffith affirmed his understanding, and the court moved forward with accepting the plea.

The judge deferred Griffith’s sentencing to April 7, 2025, allowing time for the preparation of a probation report, an assessment of his prison conduct, and victim impact statements.
Weekes, 41, from Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was fatally stabbed on September 14, 2022, following an altercation with Griffith. The two had an ongoing dispute over a $500 debt, which escalated when they argued over a parking space, according to reports.

During the argument, Griffith stabbed Weekes four times—twice in the hands, once in the left shoulder, and once in the lower left chest.
A post-mortem examination confirmed that Weekes died from hemorrhage and shock caused by the multiple stab wounds. Both men had been working as taxi drivers near the head of the Mocha Public Road at the time of the incident.