Remorseful miner sentenced to 11 years for 2021 Backdam killing

A 30-year-old miner was on Monday sentenced to 11 years and six months’ imprisonment for the 2021 killing of a fellow miner at Obanna Backdam, Kurubrong, Potaro, Region Eight, following a High Court hearing in Essequibo.

Francisco Sampson, also known as “Junior,” formerly of Lot 35, Seventh Avenue, Bartica, Region Seven, was sentenced by Justice Priscilla Chandra-Hanif in relation to the death of 38-year-old Eon Anthony Ramnarine, a father of three.

In delivering the sentence, Justice Chandra-Hanif ordered that the period Sampson has already spent in custody be deducted from the overall term. The court also directed prison authorities to ensure that Sampson is enrolled in and successfully completes conflict resolution and rehabilitation programmes, as well as psychological counselling, before the end of his sentence.

Sampson had initially been indicted for the capital offence of murder, but the State accepted a plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter. The prosecution was led by State Counsel Caressa Henry and State Counsel Fenton Budhram, while Sampson was represented by attorney L. N. Dindayal.

In outlining her reasoning, Justice Chandra-Hanif emphasised the seriousness of violent crime and the need for accountability, while carefully weighing the mitigating factors advanced by the defence against the aggravating circumstances highlighted by the prosecution.

The defence pointed to Sampson’s age, his expression of remorse, his previously good character and his cooperation with police during the investigation. In contrast, the prosecution underscored the gravity of the offence, the use of excessive violence with a deadly weapon—a knife—the lasting impact of the killing on the victim’s family, and the broader prevalence of violent crimes in society.

A victim impact statement was delivered by Ewart Austin, who told the court that his son, Ramnarine, was a dedicated provider for his children. He described Ramnarine as “a great person in every sense” and said the loss has taken a significant emotional and physical toll on him.

Addressing the court, Sampson expressed remorse, stating: “I am really sorry for what happened—I didn’t expect it to happen like this. A life has been taken, and I want the family [of Ramnarine] to give me some forgiveness.”

Evidence presented by the prosecution detailed the circumstances surrounding Ramnarine’s death. The court heard that Sampson and the deceased were acquainted, as they lived and worked at neighbouring mining camps in the Potaro area.

On October 4, 2021, at about 11:45 hrs, police at the Mahdia Police Station received a report of an alleged murder at Obanna Backdam. Ranks proceeded to the location, where they were directed to the mining camp of Sampson’s father. There, they encountered both the elder Sampson and the accused.

During the interaction, Sampson handed over a black-handled knife and informed police that it was the weapon he had used to stab Ramnarine. He then led officers to a nearby bushy area, where Ramnarine’s body was found lying motionless on the ground, partially covered with a bed sheet. The body was discovered on its back, clothed in dark-coloured shorts, with visible bloodstains on the clothing and surrounding area. A piece of wood bearing what appeared to be bloodstains was also recovered nearby.

Sampson was cautioned at the scene and claimed that Ramnarine had struck him with a piece of wood, prompting him to respond with a knife that he said he carried for mechanical work. He was informed of his rights, arrested, and escorted to the Mahdia Police Station along with the body and the recovered items.

The following day, October 5, 2021, Sampson and the body of the deceased were taken to the Mahdia Regional Hospital, where Sampson was examined and treated, and Ramnarine was pronounced dead. Later that day, Sampson provided a written statement to police in which he admitted stabbing Ramnarine, again claiming he acted in self-defence.

A post-mortem examination conducted on October 8, 2021, revealed 11 incised wounds on Ramnarine’s body, including multiple stab wounds to the chest that penetrated the heart and lung. The cause of death was determined to be perforation of the heart and lung due to stab wounds.

Sampson was committed to stand trial for murder on October 17, 2023, by Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court, culminating in Monday’s sentencing on the reduced charge of manslaughter.