Berbice man gets 10 years for killing brother over land dispute

A West Bank Berbice (WBB) man was on Monday sentenced to 10 years by Justice Zamilla Ally-Seepaul for killing his brother in May 2020 over a land dispute.
Khamlall Bishnauth, 49, pleaded guilty to murdering his brother Sarananand Bishnauth when he appeared during the Berbice Assizes in December and was sentenced on Monday after a probation report was presented to the court.
Justice Ally-Seepaul in her ruling pointed out that the victim’s wife has lost a husband and now a brother-in-law due to the consumption of alcohol. The trial Judge, nevertheless, noted that Bishnauth appeared to be generally remorseful over the incident.

On the day in question, the brothers were imbibing at separate locations at Shieldstown but Khemlall turned up where his brother was socialising thus leading to an argument over a plot of land that is under dispute.
At that time, the suspect armed himself with a knife, pushed his brother out of the yard, and stabbed him once to his chest. An autopsy revealed that the victim died from a single stab wound to the chest.
Justice Ally-Seepaul said the circumstances leading to the incident should be taken into account while noting that the use of a weapon was inappropriate and unnecessary.
The Judge relied on the facts presented by State Prosecutor Cecelia Corbin, who highlighted the prevalence of killings within the society while noting the offence was committed on a sibling due to an argument over property and land.
Corbin, while noting that the incident was committed under the influence, called on the court to send a strong message to like-minded individuals who cannot control their emotions under the influence of alcohol.
Meanwhile, in a mitigating plea, state-appointed Defence Attorney Surujah Samsook noted that Bishnauth had no pending charge nor criminal record and had accepted the fact that he had committed the offence.
Addressing the Court, the convict said, “I am sorry that my brother died.” The Judge said she was imposing a 25-year sentence but had to deduct three years for the mitigating factors.
A further one-third was deducted from the remaining sentence as stipulated by law for the guilty plea, and then an additional four years were deducted – being the time incarcerated awaiting trial. The suspect will serve 10 years after which he will walk a free man.