At the conclusion of the trial into the murder of Police Sergeant Leonard La Rose, the accused, 36-year-old Dennis Marks, was found guilty of manslaughter.
Killed: Leonard La Rose
He was accused of unlawfully killing La Rose on March 1, 2016, at Matthews Ridge. The charge was reread to the accused on Tuesday by Justice Sandil Kissoon when he made his appearance at the High Court.
It was reported that the victim was stabbed to death in Matthews Ridge, Region One (Barima-Waini) while attempting to arrest the suspect, who was convicted on a rape charge.
Further, during the trial, the court heard that La Rose and two other Police Officers were trying to arrest Marks and, in the process, he whipped out a sharp object and attacked the Sergeant and his colleagues.
The now-dead man and his partners were rushed to the Matthews Ridge Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The two remaining ranks were treated for injuries to their hands and sent away.
The State was represented by prosecutors Tuanna Hardy, Tiffani Lyken and Nafeeza Baig, while Marks was represented by Attorney Rachael Bakker.
Justice Kissoon imposed a life sentence as he pointed out that such acts committed against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated.
