“Hot Skull” admits killing Better Hope pensioner

Sherwin Clarke, aka “Hot Skull,” who initially pleaded not guilty to murdering David Ramkissoon back in August 2016 at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Tuesday admitted to committing the act.

Clarke, of South Better Hope, who was on trial for the offence before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12-member jury at the Georgetown High Court, opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.
As such, Justice Kissoon directed the jury to return a formal verdict of guilty to manslaughter. The accused will return to court on June 30 for sentencing.
On Thursday last, the murder accused, who is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Damien Da Silva, was arraigned before Demerara High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon. A mixed 12-member jury heard that Clarke killed the pensioner during the course of a robbery at the 76-year-old man’s home.

The State was represented by prosecutor Muntaz Ali.
Ramkissoon was found by his son Anand Ramkissoon on August 21, 2016, who, along with his wife and two children, also lived with his father. He found his father’s body facing the wall in a sitting position in a pool of blood. An undisclosed amount of cash was missing from the home.
It was reported that following the discovery of the pensioner’s body, footprints were seen in the mud at the back of his yard, leading to an alleyway. Along with the footprints, drops of blood were spotted, and they led to a shack located a short distance from the slain man’s house.