Farmer jailed for killing neighbour

Justice Navindra Singh on Tuesday sentenced 47-year-old Godfrey Dass to 14 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter for the death of his neighbour, Kenneth Kennedy, in June of 2009.
Dass was initially charged for murder but opted to plead guilty to the manslaughter charge, which stated that on June 5, 2009, in the county of Essequibo, he unlawfully killed Kennedy.
The accused was represented by Attorney Mark Conway, while the State’s case was led by Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy in association with Teriq Mohammed and Abigail Gibbs.
In a plea of mitigation, the defence attorney informed the court that during his client’s time awaiting trial, he has been attending and benefiting from church services. Conway pleaded for leniency on behalf of his client, so that his client can return to society and be a better person.
Facts presented indicated that, on June 5, 2009, the accused and the victim were consuming alcohol when a fight ensued. During the altercation, Dass managed to arm himself with a knife and dealt the now dead man a stab to his head which later lead to his death.
The wife of the deceased man, who was unable to travel to Georgetown for the case, explained to the court in a statement submitted that since her husband’s death it has been difficult to provide for her children’s financial needs. The statement continued that her daughter, who witnessed the death of her father, is still affected by that traumatic experience.
Justice Singh sentenced the father of two to 14 years in prison, while ordering that the prison authority deduct the years that the accused has spent on remand.
Justice Singh also ordered the accused to stay away from the victim’s family when he is released from prison.