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Nov 25, 2015 News
– ‘Intellectual author(s) still at large’ – victim’s Pastor laments
Wails echoed through the hallowed halls of the Georgetown High Court yesterday, shortly after four men were convicted for the execution-style murder of 72-year-old Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris.
Fiedtkou-Parris of Lot 42 Robb Street, Georgetown, was killed in her home on June 30, 2011, as part of a conspiracy for money, and was related to a property dispute.
On the day of the fatal shooting, two men entered the woman’s yard and requested an audience with her. Upon hearing the persons’ request, she moved to the door. A gunman opened fire on her, hitting her several times about the body. After the shooting, the assailants made their escape in a waiting car.
Four men, who were on trial for the vicious attack, were yesterday given a combined sentence of 324 years for the murder. The sentences were imposed by Justice Navindra Singh
Orwin Hinds, called “Red Man,” of Burnham Boulevard, Mocha, East Bank Demerara; Kevin October called, “Troy,” of Second Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara; Cleon Hinds and Roy Jacobs called “Chippie” or “Black Boy” of Evans Street, Charlestown, were each sentenced to serve 81 years in prison.
The sentences comprised a base of 60 years, 10 years for premeditation, another 10 years because the murder was for pay and five years for the use of a firearm. Four years was deducted for the time the men served in prison pending trial, bringing the judgment to 81 years each.
The men must serve at least 45 years in jail before they are eligible for parole.
Justice Singh, in summing up of the evidence, urged the jury panel to use their common sense, intelligence and experience, when reviewing the case.
In less than four hours after retiring to deliberate, the panel returned to the courtroom. The atmosphere was tense as members of the panel announced unanimous guilty verdicts for all four accused, in relation to the murder.
The convicts, who were seated in the prisoners’ dock, covered their faces and shook their heads in dismay at the announcement. They all maintained that they had nothing to do with the murder.
“I haven’t done anything wrong. I know nothing about this thing,”said an emotional Orwin Hinds, in response. Kevin October maintained “the records will show that I was in police custody at the time of the murder.”
Their colleagues echoed similar sentiments.
Attorneys George Thomas, Moti Singh, Raymond Alli all pleaded on behalf of the men, for light sentences. In relation to Orwin Hinds, Attorney Thomas noted that this was his first time before the court; he had no antecedents or prior convictions. In addition, the lawyer beseeched the court for leniency, noting that yesterday was also his client‘s birthday.
In his plea of mitigation, Cleon Hinds‘ lawyer Raymond Alli told the court that his client is 38 years old and a father of three minors.
Attorneys Singh and Thomas subsequently indicated to the court their intention to appeal the convictions, on behalf of their clients. The case was presented by State Prosecutors Teshana Lake and Narissa Leander, who sought the court’s guidance in sentencing.
Seats of the public gallery of the courtroom were filled to capacity. Relatives and friends of the accused as well as curious onlookers appeared anxious as they waited on the judge’s pronouncement. Some persons were forced to exit the courtroom as they could not contain their emotions. Others whispered among themselves,”well dem boys going down today.”
“Dem gun get lash hard. Is bare big numbers this Judge know,” one observer commented.
Prior to handing down his ruling, Justice Singh explained that the men would each be given the same amount of jail time since they were found to be equally liable in the plan and participation to execute the crime.
As they exited the courtroom, murmurs could be heard from the four men, who expressed dissatisfaction in the trial and the judge’s ruling.
“Your Judgment Day is coming,” yelled one of the convicts to Judge Singh.
Meanwhile, a Pastor of the church, Mrs. Fiedtkou-Parris once attended, lamented the fact that although the four men have been convicted for murder, the intellectual author of the crime is still at large.
During the trial, the caution statement provided by one of the accused had outlined there was a plot by someone to murder the elderly woman, who lived adjacent to Trans Pacific Auto Sales on Robb Street.
The caution statement of Roy Jacobs also had outlined that there was suspicion that the plan to execute the elderly woman was hatched by someone attached to the prominent local auto dealership.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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