Clothes vendor’s killer appeals ‘severe’ life sentence

Kevin Persaud, one of two men who confessed to fatally shooting clothes vendor Purcell Moore during a robbery at Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD) in 2017, is seeking to have his life sentence set aside.

Persaud, 22, called “Boyce”, and his co-accused, 22-year-old Selwyn Dawson, called “Crack”, were arraigned in June 2021 for the murder of Moore, committed on December 20, 2017. Midway through their trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon in the Demerara High Court, they had opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter, and the Judge had instructed the 12-member jury to return a formal verdict of guilty of manslaughter for both men. On June 14, 2021, both Persaud and Dawson were sentenced to life imprisonment, with the possibility of being paroled after 15 years.

In August 2021, Dawson filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal against his sentence, contending that it was severe in all circumstances of the case. Then, in February, Persaud also appealed against his sentence on grounds similar to Dawson’s. The Notice of Appeal was filed on his behalf by Defence Counsel Dexter Todd.
Moore, 40, a father of two, was shot dead on December 20, 2017 a short distance from his parents’ home at Old Road, Craig, EBD by three men, who relieved him of his gold chain. Moore had arrived in Guyana from French Guiana two weeks prior to his demise, to celebrate Christmas with his family.
Justice Sandil Kissoon, in sentencing the convicts, had reprimanded them for the callous crime. “Members of society ought to be free to move about…whether in the precinct of the business community in downtown Georgetown, in their neighbourhood, or their homes…,” the Judge had said.
Considering the serious nature and prevalence of the offence, Justice Kissoon had pointed out, the sentence of the court must not only fit the dastardly act, but also serve as a deterrent.
During their sentencing hearing, the convicted killers had begged the Judge for leniency. Persaud, in a short statement to the court, had said, “I am sorry for the wrong things we did. And forgive us for the wrong things.” Dawson, on the other hand, had this to say: “I am very sorry for my mistake and sinful act. I am asking for forgiveness…please have mercy on us, and be lenient.” (G1)