“Ratty” jailed for 20 years on manslaughter plea
Feb 06, 2018 , https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...n-manslaughter-plea/
One of three persons charged and committed to face a judge and jury on a robbery/murder that occurred at a Mandir at Williamsburg, Corentyne, back in January 2013 has pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. He has been jailed for 20 years.
Kevin Hintzen, called ‘Ratty’, 29, of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, was charged along with two teenagers of Port Mourant and Rose Hall Town.
Hintzen was on trial before Justice Sandill Kissoon in the Berbice High Court on charge of murder and robbery.
However before the trial began, Hintzen indicated to the court that he wanted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.
Attorney-at-law, Tuanna Hardy presented the state’s case.
It was reported that between January 6 and January 7, 2013, Hintzen and the others murdered security guard Jagdat Ramcharran, called “Ronald”, 61, a father of two of Bloomfield, Corentyne, Berbice. The man’s body was found bound and gagged at the Iskcon Hari Krishna Mandir at Block 6 Williamsburg, Corentyne, Berbice.
The police had initially held three persons for the burglary of a Digicel\Cell Smart outlet at Rose Hall Town Corentyne .They were found with some of the stolen items in their possession. They had sustained injuries during the break in, and during interrogation, two of them admitted to being involved in the murder of the security guard.
They then named others who were part of the gang that raided the Mandir on the fateful night. The security guard’s body was discovered around 03:00 hrs by a worshipper who had visited the Mandir.
Ramcharran was found lying on the ground with his hand and feet bound and the place ransacked. His face was swollen.
A bell, a pair of golden slippers and a tape recorder were missing. The thieves had entered the premises by cutting and wrenching open a grill window. They had also wrenched the door to the altar.
Hintzen and some others were also charged with break and enter and larency.
In the meanwhile, Hintzen whilst being on remand in jail was caught with 78 grams of cannabis sativa in his crotch. He was subsequently sentenced to three years in jail and fined $30,000.
Before passing sentence, Justice Kissoon told the convict that he is imposing the 20-year sentence because Ramcharran was murdered during the course of a robbery.
The others, Shivnarine Jainarine, called ‘Sammy’ or Samuel, of Train Line Dam, Port Mourant, Corentyne and Ryan Persaud, called ‘K.K’, of Rose Hall remain in custody and will have to face a judge and jury at a later date.