A remorseful 20-year-old John McKenzie was on Monday sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to a manslaughter charge, thereby admitting that on November 17, 2018, he unlawfully killed “Buckman” (only name given). McKenzie, formerly of Leopold Street, Georgetown, was initially indicted for murder. He was taken before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the High Court in Demerara and opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.
Jailed: John McKenzie
Media reports are that the now dead man lived like a vagrant and frequented the Leopold Street, Georgetown area. According to reports, on the day in question, he was involved in an argument with McKenzie and two teenagers – who were also charged with his murder – over the sale of drugs. They are awaiting trial.
It was reported that the now dead man was stabbed multiple times. It was reported that McKenzie and his accomplices became annoyed after “Buckman” and a few others stopped buying drugs from them. The man died while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
A probation report was presented to the court on McKenzie. It revealed that he dropped out of school in the Fourth Form due to his learning disability. The probation officer said that teachers advised McKenzie’s mother to enrol him in a vocational school, but instead, she kept him at home to assist her with vending.
According to the probation report, he was neglected by his father when he was a toddler, and by his mother when he turned into a teenager after she moved to another region to live with her husband. The probation officer noted that at a very young age, McKenzie was left without proper parental guidance and had to fend for himself from age 13.
The probation officer highlighted that this resulted in him socialising with peers who were of questionable character and becoming engaged in delinquent activities. The probation report also noted that he grew up in a socially deprived community where persons expressed mixed sentiments about him.
According to the probation officer, some residents described him as very mannerly and helpful and expressed shock at his involvement in the crime, while others claimed that he was a troublemaker. McKenzie worked for three months as a patient attendant at the Georgetown Public Hospital before he was charged with the killing.
His former workmates told the probation officer that he performed his duties diligently and shared a good relationship with them. Reports from the prison are that he is well behaved. While he accepted responsibility for the crime and expressed remorse, the probation officer said that McKenzie claimed he was acting in self-defence since he was attacked by the now dead man.
The confessed killer pleaded with the Judge to be lenient with him, stating that this was the first time he had found himself on the wrong side of the law. In his plea to Justice Sewnarine-Beharry, he cried, “I am sorry for what I have done. I am sorry for breaking the law. I never went to jail before. I am just asking you to be lenient with me. I am just asking for mercy because I did not waste the court’s time.”
Justice Sewnarine-Beharry advised McKenzie to make the most of his time while in prison by taking part in the various rehabilitation programmes so that he will be of benefit to society when he is released.
State Counsel Teriq Mohammed and State Counsel Nafeeza Baig appeared for the prosecution, while Attorney-at-Law Mark Conway represented McKenzie, who appeared in court virtually from the Camp Street Prison.
