Fisherman sentenced to 25 years for murder of former partner

A 53-year-old fisherman from Onderneeming, who evaded law enforcement for more than two decades, was sentenced on Tuesday to 25 years in prison for the 2002 murder of his former partner, Tajwantie Sooklall, also known as “Roshanie.” Gautier Fernandez, nicknamed “Meltie,” appeared before Justice Zamilla Ally-Seepaul at the High Court in Demerara.
The prosecution was led by Christopher Belfield, assisted by Praneta Seeraj and Nelissa Peterkin, while the accused was represented by attorney Adrien Thompson.
A pre-sentence report prepared by a Prisoners’ Welfare Officer noted that Fernandez expressed remorse for his actions. The report also highlighted his quiet demeanor, respectful behavior, and lack of infractions while in custody. Fernandez actively participated in prison programs, showing a willingness to learn and improve himself.
The probation report detailed that Fernandez grew up in a broken home, moving between his grandparents, mother, and father. This instability affected his education and prompted him to enter the workforce early to support his family. The report noted that his family was shocked to learn of his involvement in the crime. Fernandez told the probation officer that the act was not premeditated and claimed the deceased had pulled a knife on him during a scuffle with a friend, which resulted in her being fatally injured. The report emphasized that Fernandez treated the deceased not as a person but as property to be controlled, reinforcing the need for a strong message against such violence.
A psychiatric evaluation concluded that Fernandez was calm, of sound mind, and functioning at a neurotic level, with optimism and no indications of psychological disturbances affecting his judgment.
During his address to the court, Fernandez apologized for his actions and requested another chance to return to his family.
Prosecutor Belfield highlighted several aggravating factors, including the violent nature of the attack and the fact that Fernandez had strategically concealed a knife and attacked both the deceased and her companion. He stressed the rising concern over domestic violence in Guyana and called for a strong deterrent sentence to send a message to society. Belfield described the post-mortem report by Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, which revealed that the deceased suffered multiple sharp-force injuries to her neck, trachea, and bronchi, causing hemorrhage and shock. The injuries indicated an agonizing and violent death.
Attorney Thompson requested consideration of mitigating factors, including Fernandez’s remorse, guilty plea, lack of prior convictions, and positive prison conduct. He also noted Fernandez’s participation in rehabilitation programs.
The victim impact statement from the deceased’s sister, Sandra, expressed deep grief and emotional trauma following her sister’s death. She described the deceased as a loving, hardworking woman and thanked the police for bringing Fernandez to justice, urging the court to impose the maximum penalty.
Justice Seepaul reviewed the facts, noting that Fernandez admitted to arming himself with a knife, confronting the deceased as she attempted to leave, and fatally cutting her throat while also injuring her friend. Fernandez fled the scene and remained at large for 20 years before being apprehended. Justice Seepaul emphasized that Fernandez had consistently maintained the same account throughout police interviews and his written caution statement, demonstrating deliberate intent.
The judge explained the court’s four-stage approach to sentencing: establishing a starting point based on the gravity of the offense, adjusting for aggravating or mitigating factors specific to the offender, considering deductions for the guilty plea, and accounting for pretrial custody.
Aggravating factors included the domestic context of the murder, the use of a knife, and Fernandez’s complete disregard for the deceased’s life by fleeing instead of rendering assistance. The court also considered the severe impact on the deceased’s children and family. The starting point for the sentence was set at 30 years.
Mitigating factors included Fernandez’s lack of prior convictions and satisfactory prison conduct, resulting in a one-year deduction. However, the court added three years due to the aggravating circumstances of evading justice for 20 years and attempting to minimize his culpability, raising the sentence to 32 years.
Justice Seepaul ruled that Fernandez would not receive the full one-third reduction for his guilty plea because he had evaded the law for decades, pleading only after being apprehended. Nevertheless, a seven-year reduction was applied, bringing the final sentence to 25 years. Time already served on remand will be deducted from this sentence.
Fernandez was formally sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment.