Murder convict appeals life sentence

Twenty-six-year-old Shivanand Roopnarine, who was recently sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his 18-year-old girlfriend, is challenging the sentence in the Court of Appeal.

Roopnarine was initially charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Alissa McPherson, who was stabbed to death at a party in Sophia, Greater Georgetown, in April 2015. However, at his High Court appearance, he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.
But after being handed a life sentence three weeks ago, Roopnarine, through his attorney, is arguing that the sentence imposed by trial Judge Sandil Kissoon is unduly severe. He is there asking the Appeal Court to reduce or overturn it.

According to reports, McPherson left her home and went to a party in Sophia with a male friend.
While at the party, McPherson was confronted by Roopnarine, who accused her of cheating on him with the male friend.
However, the victim denied the accusation and an enraged Roopnarine took her to the back of the yard, pulled out a black object from the waist of his pants and stabbed her.
The teen was discovered in the toilet area with stab wounds and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
A post-mortem report later revealed that McPherson was stabbed 41 times about her body.
During his address to the court, a remorseful Roopnarine begged his girlfriend’s family for forgiveness.
The Judge considered several factors before handing down the sentence: the age of the deceased, the manner in which she was killed and the fact that a weapon was used.