Duo guilty of killing Rose Hall security officer sentenced

Two men, including a teenager, who had pleaded guilty to killing a Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) security officer during the course of a robbery were sentenced on Thursday.

Twenty-two-year-old Carlos Ballers of Williamsburg, Rose Hall Town, was sentenced to 13 years while his partner, a teenager, was given a two-month jail sentence by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall.
Ballers and his co-accused, who is now 19, of Guava Bush, Albion Front, Corentyne, had pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter after admitting that they killed 53-year-old Munisperen Iyasammy Monien of Lot 45 Clifton, Port Mourant, Corentyne, on March 31, 2018.
The incident took place at Sukhsram General Store at Lot 13 Public Road, Rose Hall Town. The man’s body was found in a pool of blood in a storeroom.
After the discovery was made, it was also discovered that the $1.5 million that was locked in a drawer in the store was missing. Police later questioned the employees following the theory that the robbery/murder was an inside job.
Two days after, Ballers confessed to plotting the robbery while admitting his involvement while at the same time implicating the teenager.
In handing down the sentence, Justice Morris-Ramlall contended that Ballers was of the age to be conscious of his lawful actions.

She said the court was imposing a 27-year sentence but deducted three years for Ballers being remorseful currently and the fact that he is a young defender and he has good prospects of being reformed.
A further eight years were deducted from the sentence for the fact that he entered a guilty plea and the 2 years 10 months he spent on remand awaiting trial.
On the other hand, in sentencing the teenager, the Trial Judge said she found that that a custodial sentence coupled with counselling, probation and supervision is warranted.
However, she noted that Pursuant to Section 44, the maximum sentence which the court can impose on the offender under the Act is five years. “This is the starting point of the sentence,” she said.
“I have considered the fact the offender has a previous good record/character and his genuine expression of remorse. His personal history and the possibility for rehabilitation have also been taken into account.”
For those mitigating circumstances, six months were deducted from the sentence. Additionally, one-third of the remainder was deducted as mandated by law for the guilty plea.
The teenager had already spent close to three years on remand. That too was taken off the sentence thus leaving two months.
The Judge further ordered that immediately upon the conclusion of the period of custody, he will have to undergo a period of probation and supervision for three years during which time he is obligated to keep the peace.
In addition, he is to report to the Chief Probation Officer every Monday and he must remain in the territorial jurisdiction of Guyana unless the offender obtains the permission of the court to leave.
Additionally, the teenager will have to complete a course in computer studies and/or any other technical field and make reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain suitable employment.

Community service
The sentence also included community service which must be done after the two months of jail time. This will be for two hours weekly for a period of six months.
The case was prosecuted by Tuanna Hardy.