Canecutter pleads guilty to killing mason

Feb 06, 2014 News

When the January session of the Berbice Criminal court got on the way on Tuesday before Justice Diana Insanally, murder accused Rakash Janak called ‘Rakesh’ pledged guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Guilty plea:
Rakash Janak

Janak, who was 20, at the time, and resided at Zorg-en-Hoop Scheme, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice, was indicted for the murder of Brentnol Richard Isaacs, 31, called “Tongey” a mason, of Lot 118 Ithaca, West Bank Berbice.
After the indictment was read by State Prosecutor attorney at law Renita Singh the accused through his lawyer Attorney-at-law Raymond Ally decided to adopt a certain course which was accepted by the prosecution .
Before the prosecution presented the facts to the court, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charged of murder and guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.
Justice Insanally then ordered a probation report. The matter was then adjourned to February 11 when that report is expected to be presented and Janak will know his fate.
According to media reports the accused was angered by a relationship Isaacs shared with a close female relative of his. Isaacs and the accused subsequently had a misunderstanding at a house.
A brawl ensued and the accused went for a cutlass, and chopped Isaacs across his chest and left arm. He fell and was picked up and rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital, before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.