Fisherman appealing life sentences for double murder

Sentenced to life in prison in October for the murders of two fishers, Ravendranauth Mohanlall has lodged an appeal with the Court of Appeal of Guyana through which he is challenging his conviction and sentence which he contends is too severe.

A date is yet to be fixed for the hearing of this appeal.
Fifty-three-year-old Mohanlall called “Fred”, was convicted by a jury before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Berbice High Court of murdering Beeram Motilall, 45, and 15-year-old Renard Fernandes. For each of the killings, the Judge gave him a life sentence but stipulated that the jail terms must be served concurrently. Before he is eligible for release, he needs to serve 30 years.
After undergoing psychiatric tests, Mohanlall was found not to be competent to stand trial when the case was presented before the High Court in Berbice in 2014, 2018, and 2022.
He was only deemed fit to stand trial this year.
Mohanlall was charged with the offence in October 2011.
The duo was killed between
September 6, 2011, and September 12, 2011, at sea, near Bush Lot, Corentyne. It was reported that on September 6, 2011, boat captain Motilall and Fernandes departed to go fishing with Mohanlall, who had instructed them to “pull up the seine and head for shore”. But the pair reportedly ignored his demands.
Mohanlall then tossed something flammable at them.
Then, he threw a lighter at them and flipped it, setting them on fire.
Motilall and Fernandes, in excruciating anguish, managed to subdue Mohanlall and steered the boat towards land. Following their admission to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, they were later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they later died.
Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome, brought on by the victims’ severe burn injuries, was listed as their cause of death.
Between 50 to 65 per cent of their bodies were burned in the second and third degree. (G1)