Soesdyke man to serve just over 12 years for killing wife

Apr 25, 2017 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

A father of three was yesterday, initially, sentenced to 25 years in prison after he admitted to killing his reputed wife during a 2013 domestic dispute.

Shameza Ramdat also called “Reshma.”

According to the indictment, Shameer Ali, 46, was charged with murdering his wife on June 8, 2013, at the Kuru Kuru Squatting area, Soesdyke.
The matter came up before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and a mixed 12-member jury. Ali pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
According to the facts presented by State Attorney Shawnette Austin, on the date of the incident, the man and his wife, Shameza Ramdat, also called “Reshma,” had an argument. Austin presented the matter in association with Prosecutors Tamieka Clarke and Mandel Moore.
According to the Prosecutor, during the argument, the husband chased the woman with a knife and inflicted several wounds on her body. The woman sustained 15 incised wounds, including two to the left side neck.
Her cause of death was recorded as multiple incised wounds. The accused was later found with a knife in the hand and an injury to the neck.
Before the man could be sentenced, his attorney, Mark Conway, beseeched the court for mercy.
Conway told the court that his client has not wasted the court’s time and would like another opportunity to contribute to society.
When he was given a chance to speak, Ali said that he is sorry for what happened and wanted the court’s mercy and forgiveness.
However, Justice Barlow noted that too many domestic disputes end in violence. As much as you want leniency, the Court has to send a strong message that this sort of action cannot be condoned.
The Judge said that she intended to sentence Ali to 25 years in prison for manslaughter. She nonetheless deducted three years, 10 months for the time he spent in prison on remand; eight years for the guilty plea and one year for the mitigating factors.
Ali will, therefore, serve just over 12 years in prison for the offence.