Duo awaits sentencing for manslaughter at Essequibo Assizes

Two men are currently on remand awaiting sentencing for manslaughter at the Essequibo Criminal Assizes which is being held at the High Court in Suddie. Paul Charles, 34, of Foulmouth Village, Essequibo River, though indicted for murder, opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter.
He admitted that on February 7, 2019, at the aforementioned location, he unlawfully killed his drinking partner, Cedric James. Media reports are that the Essequibo River man was stabbed by Charles during a heated argument over an old grievance.

James allegedly confronted Charles, who was charged with murdering his sister, Patricia Williams, a boat operator whose body was found floating in the Essequibo River in 2009.
The men were at the time imbibing. According to reports, Charles became annoyed, armed himself with a knife, and stabbed James, a labourer, before fleeing. The injured man was rushed to the Bartica Regional Hospital by public-spirited persons but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Charles was just 23 years old when he was charged with Williams’ murder. He was, however, found guilty for the lesser offence of manslaughter and was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Meanwhile, 50-year-old Alvin Calder, who was found guilty by a jury on a manslaughter charge, is also awaiting sentencing. The charge against him states that on April 12, 2007, at White Water Landing, Potaro, Essequibo, Calder, formerly of Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara, unlawfully killed Joseph Willy.
Media reports are that Calder was only apprehended in 2016, nine years after he allegedly killed Willy also called “Jeff-man”. It was reported that the men were involved in a drug deal that went bad. Moreover, Willy had allegedly owed the accused $150,000 for goods he had taken from his shop and had refused to pay him despite several requests.
On the day in question, Calder saw a relative of the now dead man and confronted her over the monies he had owed. After Willy learned 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.
Charles and Calder will be sentenced on April 1, 2021, by Justice Gino Persaud.