Ex-policeman jailed for 10 years for 2010 attempt of wife’s murder

Jun 09, 2016 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

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Ex-policeman Waliaferro Joseph who was on trial in the Berbice High Court on a charge of attempting to kill his one time fiancée, Uneatha McLean, has been jailed for 10 years.

Joseph, called “Wally” was on trial before Justice Brassington Reynolds and a mixed Jury. He was accused of attempting to murder McLean, 24, on January 7, 2010 at Number 57, Corentyne Berbice.
He was found guilty when the matter ended a few weeks ago. However, a probation report was ordered by Justice Reynolds.
State Prosecutor Attorney at Law Stacey Goodings had presented the state’s case, while the accused conducted his own trial.
Prosecutor, Goodings had told the court that on the day in question McLean, a housewife, was at the bottom flat of her residence when she suddenly felt someone grab her neck and mouth.
She recognized the man and subsequently tried to free herself but during her struggles she was stabbed a number of times. She managed to escape and was met by police ranks, who rescued her.  She was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital before being transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital for emergency surgery and subsequently, to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further medical intervention.
During the trial the prosecution called a number of witnesses including the virtual complainant’s sister Carrie Ann Prince, Dr.   Rajnauth Thakoordeen, Assistant Superintendent of Police David Renee, Police Lance Corporal Pinkey Watts and Police Constable Fitzroy Nicholson.  The accused had stated, “I have faith; I believe Christ has a plan for me. I leave everything in his hands and had still pleaded his innocence. He had stated, “Sir the only thing was to allow myself to be lured to the woman’s house for a little bit of sex”
Presenting a probation report Claudia Munroe, Senior Probation and Welfare Officer stated, that Joseph was born in Georgetown but grew up in New Amsterdam with his mother and stepfather before returning to Georgetown. He is literate, but was a school dropout.
Joseph who worked at various places was once a member of the Guyana Police Force, but did not last long due to his attitude.   The report described Joseph as a troubled man, regular consumer of alcohol, a woman abuser and stalker and one who has little or no respect for women.
While being a rank of the police force he was charged with discreditable conduct and deserting his post, and being hasty.
He was evicted from his mother-in-law’s home on the Corentyne after he broke up things in her home.
The report concluded that the relationship was an abusive one which forced the woman on several occasions to get out of the relationship, but was followed by Joseph who continued to disrespect her.
Joseph cross-examined the Probation Officer about the dos and don’ts of her job and what he seemed to be the biased nature of the report.
The accused in a prepared speech quoted extensively from the Bible. He greeted the court with “Peace and love in the name of Jesus.”  He said the new government has given people a chance to earn and live. He asked the court to give him a chance to work and pay compensation to McLean and also pay his tax. “Your worship I will be wasting time in jail and no one including my mother, children and grandson will benefit. Sir, if given a chance to work all will be happy.”
Before passing sentence Justice Reynolds admonished the accused on his attitude and belief that everything surrounds him and for questioning the Probation Officer on her work.
“From interacting with you during the time of the trial, it seems that it is a feature of yours that you intend to superimpose your own way how things should be in the world. The sooner you could recognize that we are all a small part of this universe the better it would be for you”
Justice Reynolds told Joseph that he took a few things into consideration including his age; he has three kids and a grand, his offer of compensation, his plea and request to work in order to pay compensation, his taxes and other good things.
“However, the Probation Report did not say much in favour of you, either by your mother or your ‘squaddies’. It says a sad tale of your attitude. The Jury did not believe your story. You should have walked away instead of stalking the woman.”
Justice Reynolds delved into the state of spousal abuse that is hitting the headlines in Guyana at the moment.  He said that the recent newspaper headlines which stated that 10 women have been killed over the past five months, a staggering two women being killed for no reason.
”I had between 10 years and 15 years in mind, but due to the brutality of the crime in which an offensive weapon was used, and the woman was stabbed several times, it was clear that you intended to do away with the victim.”
However, the Judge deducted 1½ years for the time the accused spent in jail, another one year for his plea in mitigation and six months for his offer of compensation.
The accused was thus sentenced to 10 years in jail.

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