“Give me some forgiveness” – man accused of killing miner asks

…to spend over 11 years in prison

Thirty-year-old miner Francisco Sampson, also known as “Junior,” was on Monday sentenced to 11 years and six months’ imprisonment for the killing of fellow miner Eon Anthony Ramnarine at a mining location in the Potaro Backdam, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). The sentence was handed down by Justice Priscilla Chandra-Hanif at the Essequibo High Court, following Sampson’s conviction for manslaughter. He was initially charged for murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. Justice Chandra-Hanif ordered that the time already spent in custody be deducted from the overall sentence. The judge also directed prison authorities to ensure that Sampson is enrolled in and successfully completes conflict resolution and rehabilitation programmes, as well as psychological counselling, prior to the completion of his term. The conviction stems from the October 4, 2021, killing of 38-year-old Eon Anthony Ramnarine, a father of three, at Obanna Backdam, Kurubrong, Potaro. Ramnarine, also known as “Anthony,” and Sampson were acquainted, as both men worked and lived in close proximity at neighbouring mining camps. According the prosecution’s case, at about 11:45h on October 4, 2021, police at the Mahdia Police Station received a report of an alleged murder at Obanna Backdam. Ranks immediately proceeded to the area to carry out investigations. Upon arrival, the officers were taken to the mining camp of Francisco Sampson Snr., the convict’s father, where they encountered both the elder Sampson and the accused. During the interaction with police, the younger Sampson handed over a black-handled knife and told officers that it was the weapon he used to stab Ramnarine. He then led the ranks to a nearby bushy area, where Ramnarine’s body was found lying motionless on the ground, partially covered with a bedsheet.
A piece of wood bearing what appeared to be blood stains was also found near the body.

Arrest and admission
At the scene, Sampson claimed that Ramnarine had struck him with a piece of wood, prompting him to use a knife, which he said he carried for mechanical work to stab him. Sampson was escorted from the scene along with the body, the knife, and the piece of wood to the Mahdia Regional Hospital and then he was taken to the Mahdia Police Station. The defence, led by Attorney L.N. Dindayal, highlighted Sampson’s age, his expression of remorse, his previously good character, and his cooperation with the police as factors warranting leniency. However, prosecutors Caressa Henry and Fenton Budhram stressed the gravity of the offence, the use of excessive violence with a deadly weapon, namely a knife, the enduring impact of the killing on Ramnarine’s family, and the prevalence of similar violent offences within society. In a victim impact statement, Ewart Austin, Ramnarine’s father, told the court that his son was a dedicated provider for his children.
Addressing the court, Sampson expressed regret for his actions, stating, “I am really sorry for what happened…I didn’t expect it to happen like this. A life has been taken, and I want the family [of Ramnarine] to give me some forgiveness.”