Man get 12 years for killing gold trader

Joshua Payne, who admitted to the December 19, 2012 killing of Kelvin Caines, called “Reds,” was sentenced to serve 12 years in prison after he plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter last month.
‘Reds’ a 42-year-old gold trader, was fatally stabbed at the crowded Stabroek Market Square in Georgetown in an attack which the court found was not provoked.
State Prosecutor Tiffini Lyken told the court that from Payne’s caution statement, he attacked the man because of a grievance between them. He had told Police that the deceased had “buss (me) head a day on Henry Street”.
The deceased, a father of two, was said to be carrying out his normal business operations at the time he was stabbed, and he died the same day while receiving medical treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
State Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh gave Caines’s cause of death as perforation of the heart and lung due to stab wounds. The doctor further stated that while one of the wounds was fatal, there were four wounds to the body and chest, caused by a sharp instrument 12 cm in length.
A senior probation officer highlighted the difficult circumstances under which Payne had grown up, as he had left school early, and had taken to the streets doing various odd jobs. Earlier in life, he moved in with his grandmother after his parents separated. At the time of ‘Reds’ killing, Payne had no fixed placed of abode. He was also admittedly illiterate. His siblings and other relatives detailed a violent past wherein he physically attacked them in youth and in adulthood. Some even said they felt safer with him in prison, as he would often threaten them with sharp instruments if they did not comply with his demands.
Another relative said Payne had committed a violent act in a foreign territory, and had been released after pleading insanity. He had served one year’s imprisonment for robbery with violence.
Payne’s defence counsel, Attorney Keoma Griffith, petitioned the court to exercise great mercy, because the deceased had attacked his client prior to the killing.
A former resident of Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown, Caines was stabbed under his left arm by Payne. Caines’s gold chain was stolen, along with some of the cash he had. The remainder of the money was reportedly handed over to the family. It was said that Payne, a known person who suffered with mental health issues, was well known to the family of Caines. During last month, Payne was evaluated by a doctor, who found him to be quiet and cooperative. He was declared mentally fit, and was cleared to be arraigned on the charge.
Justice Reynolds started the sentence at 20 years, and deducted 5 years for time spent on remand, and another 5 years for the guilty plea. He, however, added on two years for the aggravating circumstances, which brought Payne’s sentence to a total of 12 years to be served.