Man gets six years for chopping neighbour
A man from San Juan has been sentenced to six years in prison after admitting to chopping his neighbour after accusing him of being a police informant almost two decades ago.
Marlon McKain received the sentence from High Court Judge Kathy-Ann Waterman-Latchoo, yesterday after pleading guilty to attempted murder.
According to the agreed facts presented before sentencing, the incident occurred at Farouk Avenue in El Socorro, San Juan, on August 29, 2005.
The victim, Ronald Jagroop, was sleeping at his home with his common-law wife when he was awoken by banging on his front door and cursing from a man he recognised as McKain, as they both lived in the yard for several years.
Jagroop and his wife attempted to leave their home to go to a nearby relative’s home. Still, as soon as he came through the front door, he was attacked by an accomplice, who was armed with an old stovetop cover used by residents to cover their communal garbage bin.
McKain allegedly approached Jagroop and accused him of reporting his (McKain) illegal activities to police before chopping him several times on his hand and head.
The chopping only stopped after Jagroop’s brother sought to come to his sibling’s assistance.
McKain allegedly threatened to kill Jagroop’s brother if he intervened, and Jagroop used the distraction to run away with his wife to his sister’s home.
McKain was arrested and charged almost two years after police completed their investigation into the incident.
In assessing the appropriate sentence for McKain, Justice Waterman-Latchoo began with a starting point of 11 years.
Justice Waterman-Latchoo deducted one year as McKain had a clean criminal record before being charged, half a year for his excellent behaviour while on remand and half a year for him showing remorse for his actions.
McKain is expected to be released in four and one-third years as Justice Waterman-Latchoo applied a one-third discount for his guilty plea and deducted the one year and eight months he spent on remand before he could access bail.
McKain was represented by Michelle Ali, while Kanisa George represented the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
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