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Plaisance minibus driver’s killer jailed for 28 years
An abundance of mercy was what Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes sought of the Court after his client,
Sentenced to 28 years in prison, Orin Jerrick
Orin Jerrick, was found guilty of manslaughter yesterday.
Jerrick, a gold miner from Ann’s Grove East Coast Demerara,(ECD) was sentenced to 28 years imprisonment after he was convicted for the unlawful killing of minibus driver Gavin Fiffee.
The 31-year-old father of two, of 93 Sideline Dam, Beterverwagting, ECD, was fatally stabbed in the vicinity of the Plaisance minibus park, on July 31, 2014.
Initial reports had indicated that on the day in question, the driver had been loading his minibus at the Plaisance bus park when another man began urinating on the wheel of the vehicle. This angered passengers and when Fiffee confronted the man, an argument ensued.
At some point during the argument the man allegedly stabbed the bus driver to the upper right chest.
Fiffee was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) by a public spirited citizen.
Jerrick was later arrested and charged initially with the murder. However following approximately one week of trial before Justice Navindra Singh at the Georgetown High Court the charge was broken down to the lesser offence of manslaughter.
Following hours of deliberation by a mixed jury, the accused was found not guilty for murder but guilty of the lesser offence. The jury foreman disclosed that the verdict was 11 – 1.
Sighs and murmurs were audible from both corners of the packed courtroom. The onlookers, relatives of both the deceased and the accused sat on separate sides of the public gallery. Some expressed satisfaction while others wept quietly.
In a plea of mitigation Jerrick’s Attorney, Nigel Hughes, then asked the court to be merciful to the defendant.
Dead: Gavin Fiffee
Hughes, who represented the man in association with Attorneys Peter Hugh and Savannah Barnwell, told the court that prior to the incident his client was a gainfully employed citizen making a meaningful contribution to society. He said that Jerrick has no previous convictions, or brushes with neither the law nor a history of violence.
“He does not come from that category of persons,” the Attorney stated, pointing out that that Jerrick had surrendered to the police and fully cooperated with them during their investigations.
Hughes told the court that his client is very remorseful and he believes that he (Jerrick) has learnt his lesson after spending one and a half years behind bars awaiting trial. The Attorney begged for mercy noting that Jerrick is a father one who supported his extended family prior to his arrest. But Jerrick was adamant that he had nothing to do with the crime.
“I didn’t jook nobody” he stammered when given an opportunity to respond.
State Prosecutor Narissa Leander then pointed out to the court that the accused showed no remorse. Leander, who appeared on behalf of the State in association with Attorneys, Siand Dhurjon and Michael Shahoud asked for the maximum penalty to be imposed.
She noted the fact that the deceased also had a family to support – he died leaving his three children; two toddlers and a baby on the way.
In his ruling, Justice Navindra Singh noted his disappointment at Jerrick‘s response. The Judge stated that while the lawyer gave a very stirring plea for mercy, Jerrick remained unmoved and showed no indication of remorse.
The Judge then said that he needed evidence of that remorse before he could be merciful. As such Jerrick was given the maximum of 30 years for the crime – two years was deducted for the time he spent in prison pending trial.
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