Deadly confrontation over money leads to conviction

The trial of 50-year-old Alvin Calder who was charged with manslaughter ended on Tuesday with a 12-member jury returning a unanimous guilty verdict.
Calder was on trial before Justice Gino Persaud at the High Court in Essequibo for the unlawful killing of Joseph Willy, called “Jeff-man”.

The killing occurred on April 12, 2007, at White Water Landing, Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). As a result of his lawyer requesting a probation report, Calder was remanded to prison until March 9, 2021, when he will be sentenced.
State Counsel Lisa Cave appeared on behalf of the prosecution.
Media reports are that Calder was only apprehended in 2016, nine years after he killed the man. It was reported that the men were involved in a drug deal that went bad. Moreover, Willy had allegedly owed Calder $150,000 for goods he had taken from his shop and had refused to pay him despite several requests.
According to reports, on the day in question, Calder saw a relative of the now dead man and confronted her over the monies he was owed. After Willy learnt of the confrontation, he reportedly approached Calder armed with a cutlass. At that point, it was reported that Calder shot him twice, and then made good his escape. (G1)