“Cricket bat” murder accused found guilty of manslaughter

After almost two hours of deliberation, a 12-member High Court jury in a 10-2 verdict on Friday found 22-year-old Johnathan Budhan guilty of the lesser offence of manslaughter committed against 40-year-old Deonarine Manbodh in October of 2016.
The accused upon hearing the delivered verdict broke down in tears as he now awaits his sentencing, which was deferred to June 7, 2019, to facilitate the preparation of a probation report that was requested by Defence Counsel Nigel Hughes.
The trial commenced before Justice Navindra Singh, during which the State’s case was led by Tuanna Hardy in association with Teriq Mohammed and Abigail Gibbs.
Budhan, upon commencement of trial, entered a not guilty plea to a murder charge.
During the trial, it was revealed that the accused, formerly of Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, armed with a bat, dealt Manbodh a lash to the head after he was embarrassed and assaulted by the now dead man. The accused retaliated due to the deceased actions, demonstrating his disapproval of the relationship between his niece and the now dead man.
Reports indicate that on October 20, 2016, Manbodh was beaten to his head with a bat by the accused. Manbodh was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was admitted and died five days later.
The accused, who evaded Police apprehension after committing the act, later turned himself in at the Leonora Police Station and was charged for the offence.