Some five years after the execution-style killing of Christopher Wharton also known as “Taps” or “Chrisy”, 29-year-old Rickford Jones on Friday confessed to the crime during his first appearance at the Demerara High Court.
Jailed for manslaughter: Rickford Jones
Jones, who was initially slapped with the capital offence of murder, opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter when he appeared before Justice Sandil Kissoon. The charge against the former mason detailed that on November 18, 2015, at Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he unlawfully killed Wharton.
As such, the now-convicted man was sentenced to 23 years behind bars for the crime.
According to previous reports, the now dead man had just returned home when two men, who are known to him, rode up on bicycles and fired shots at him while he was seated on the stairs of his home. His son, who was at the time watching television, ran to his father’s aid and was also shot.
Christopher “Taps” Wharton
An injured Wharton shouted for his neighbours, and was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The murder was captured on CCTV cameras, which allegedly shows two men riding up to the premises with bicycles and carrying out the act. It was suspected that the fatal shooting was a drug-related crime.
Last year, Brian Mohan, also known as “Abdool”, formerly of Hill Street, Albouystown, was also committed to stand trial for the murder of “Taps” and is currently on remand awaiting trial at the High Court.
Prosecutors Tuanna Hardy, Tiffani Lyken, and Nafeeza Baig appeared on behalf of the State while Jones was represented by Attorney Maxwell McKay.
