A Rose Hall Town, Berbice man was on Monday jailed for 10 years for hacking to death his reputed wife.
Desmond Gordon, also called “Tallman”, 52, of Lot 196 Mangrove Street, Reef Section, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne received the sentence from Justice Brassington Reynolds after he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.
The cane harvester was charged with killing his wife Bhagmattie Angad, called “Kamini,” following a dispute during a drinking spree on May 16, 2016 at their Rose Hall Town home.
The couple, who had been together for about eight years, reportedly shared a very abusive relationship. They were imbibing during the day when an argument subsequently erupted.
Loud screams were heard coming from the premises following which the 50-year-old woman was seen running from the house with Gordon in hot pursuit. He had in his hand a cutlass with which he reportedly inflicted several incise wounds about her body. The accused was subsequently seen with blood about his body. The Police were contacted and arrived on the scene and arrested him. Gordon was represented by Attorney at Law Sasha Roberts of the Legal Aid Clinic, while the state’s case was presented by State Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy.
Following the guilty plea, the court ordered a probation report on Gordon.
Probation and Welfare Officer Maisie Sheppard, in her report, told the court that prior to the death of his wife, the early years of their relationship were filled with joy and laughter, but things changed and she became an addictive substance abuser (cocaine and marijuana).
She told the court that when Gordon would rebuke his wife for her misconduct, it frequently resulted in arguments. Further, it was reported by some residents of Reef Section, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne that while the accused was respectful and loved by many for his general disposition within the community he resided, he and the victim (now deceased) were recognised by residents for their periodic consumption tendencies. According to the probation officer, residents noted that both the accused and his wife would consume alcoholic beverages and subsequently becoming verbally and physically abusive towards each other.
Justice Reynolds, in handing down the sentence, said the penalty is between life imprisonment and 18 years.
He said that because Gordon did not waste the court’s time, he would give him the smallest sentence. Five years were deducted for the plea, and another two years for the time already spent in prison. The trial Judge deducted a further year for the killer’s good behaviour in jail based on the probation report, leaving him with ten years to spend in jail.
