Security guard gets 5 years for attempted murder

…after victim accepts $300,000 compensation

Forty-three-year-old Eon Archibald, a security guard, who, in June 2015, attacked and chopped a man whom he accused of having an affair with his reputed wife was on Thursday jailed for five years by Justice Sandil Kissoon after he offered the victim compensation in the sum of $300,000.
Earlier this month, the accused pleaded guilty shortly after the trial admitting to stabbing Duane “Country” Wallace twice with a cutlass at the Pavement View Restaurant and Bar in Georgetown. Before Thursday’s sentencing, Archibald, a father of six, apologised to Wallace, saying he was “confused” at the time.
However, the victim told the court via testimony from the witness box that he has not forgiven the defendant, since he nearly lost his life.
Justice Kissoon then handed down the sentence, stating that compensation could not excuse Archibald’s actions, even asking the victim if he preferred a jail sentence be imposed rather than accepting the money. Wallace, however, responded that he could not say.
The Judge started at a base of 20 years, but deducted time for the offender’s guilty plea; his favourable probation report, his attorney’s plea of mitigation, genuine remorse, the compensation paid, and the ninth months he spent on remand awaiting trial.
The defendant was represented by Adrian Thompson. Thompson asked for a suspended sentence, which the court rejected since Archibald never saw Wallace and the woman in a compromising position.