SECURITY guard Deandrell Semple, was, on Friday, found guilty of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Jared Jagnandan, who was killed at his workplace at SMK Shaf Auto Sales, Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (ECD), in March 2024.
A jury returned a majority verdict of 11 to one, finding Semple guilty of the lesser offence of manslaughter. The verdict followed the summing up of the evidence by Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Demerara on Friday, after which the jury retired to deliberate.
Semple, 22, of Kingelly Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), who had been on $1M bail during the trial, was remanded to prison pending his sentencing hearing.
The judge also ordered that a probation report be prepared to assist the court in determining an appropriate sentence.
The prosecution, led by State Counsel Praneta Seeraj and State Counsel Christopher Belfield of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), was directed to submit written arguments outlining the aggravating factors in the case.
Defence attorney Eden Corbin is to present submissions on mitigating factors.
Semple is expected to return to court on November 23 for sentencing.
The charge against Semple was laid following a recommendation by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Police had stated that on March 21, 2024, Semple unlawfully killed Jagnandan at the auto sales establishment.
According to the police report, the owner of the business told investigators that he and his wife returned to the premises at around 11:10h after completing business errands. They reportedly found Semple and Jagnandan seated near the security officer’s desk.

Shortly afterwards, they heard a loud bang from inside the store. The businessman said that when he rushed out of his office, he discovered Jagnandan lying motionless on the floor and bleeding.
Semple subsequently informed them that Jagnandan had been shot.
The teenager, who worked as a sales and marketing representative at the business and resided in Martyrs’ Ville, ECD, was taken to a private city hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
Three months after the shooting, Semple was charged with manslaughter and appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrates’ Court. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was granted bail, with an order to lodge his passport with the court.
Semple will remain in custody until his return to court for sentencing.