2 men admit to 2021 knife attack killing “Daddy”

Two Ruimveldt, Georgetown, men on Tuesday admitted to the 2021 killing of 29-year-old Nico Layne, known as “Daddy”, when they appeared before acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh at the Demerara High Court.
Osafi Johnson, 32, and Randy Tafari, 25, both pleaded guilty to the March 28, 2021 murder, which occurred on Leopold Street, Georgetown, during the early morning hours.
According to the agreed facts presented in court, Layne was “liming” with a group of individuals who were playing cards at the junction of High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, on the northern side of Silvies General Store. Around 01:15h, he parked his bicycle near a nearby snackette before joining the group.
Approximately 30 minutes later, Layne began asking about his bicycle after discovering it was no longer where he had left it. He subsequently walked north along High Street in the direction of Brickdam, and between 03:10h and 04:05h, Layne was seen running back toward the card players from Hadfield Street. He was being chased by two men who were a few feet apart. Johnson was armed with a long, shiny knife measuring about six inches, while Tafari carried a broad cutlass with a brown handle approximately 22 inches in length. A woman was also reportedly in their company and armed with a cutlass as she joined in pursuing Layne.
As Layne approached the group, he asked for a knife. At that time, a wound was visible beneath his armpit, and what appeared to be blood was seen on his jersey. He continued fleeing south along High Street before turning east onto Leopold Street, where he eventually collapsed.
The two accused caught up with him and dealt several blows with the knife. After the attack, Layne was left lying on his back while the men stood over him. They then walked west along Leopold Street and turned onto High Street, where they attempted unsuccessfully to flag down a passing vehicle. They later ran south along High Street and were apprehended by police on Ling Street, Charlestown, and taken to the Brickdam Police Station.
Layne was transported in a Sheriff Security vehicle to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators retrieved CCTV footage from cameras in the area on March 29, 2021, and while portions of the events leading up to the confrontation were captured partially, the fatal attack itself was recorded on surveillance video.
A post-mortem examination conducted by Government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh revealed that Layne sustained 17 incised wounds to his body, some consistent with slashing and others with stabbing. The cause of death was determined to be haemorrhage and shock due to multiple incised wounds.
The matter has been adjourned until March 16 for sentencing.