Life Sentence for ‘Smokey’ in Tragic Killing of Childhood Friend
Life Sentence for ‘Smokey’ in Tragic Killing of Childhood Friend
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In a solemn ruling, Justice Sandil Kissoon of the Berbice High Court sentenced Meignauth Premraj, known as “Smokey, ” to life in prison for the manslaughter of his childhood friend, Mark Griffith, also called “Rancher. ” The 42-year-old vegetable merchant, a father of one, opted for a guilty plea to the lesser charge.
Griffith lost his life on January 17, 2021, in a tragic incident that unfolded between the two longtime friends. Initially facing a murder charge, Premraj asserted that he acted in self-defense, claiming Griffith attacked him with a cutlass.
During the sentencing hearing, Justice Kissoon expressed the gravity of the crime, emphasizing the irreversibility of taking a life. The judge cited the tragic and senseless nature of Griffith’s homicide, describing it as a serious offense.
While handing down the life sentence, Justice Kissoon noted several aggravating circumstances and the prevalence of violent killings. Premraj, after serving 20 years, will be eligible for parole, with the time spent on remand fully credited.
Additionally, the judge mandated Premraj to enroll in various classes and programs during his incarceration, aiming to equip him with skills for a future occupation upon release. Attorney-at-Law Surihya Sabsook represented Premraj, while State Counsel Muntaz Ali prosecuted the case.
The agreed facts presented in court detailed the altercation on a bridge, where Premraj, armed with a chopper, engaged in a violent confrontation with Griffith. Despite calls from residents to stop, Premraj continued the assault, resulting in Griffith’s tragic death.
Premraj, a deported Guyanese with a history of violent offenses, spent four years in a U. S. jail for robbery with violence and served time in Guyana for armed robbery. Justice Kissoon characterized him as a “violent recidivist” given his previous convictions for serious crimes.
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