Cobbler who killed stepsister gets 21 years

Nov 17, 2017 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

A 38-year-old cobbler who set his stepsister alight over a pair of missing slippers was yesterday sentenced to serve 21 years in prison for her death.
Brian Heywood was found guilty of killing his stepsister, Samantha Schwartz. The heinous act was committed on November 21, 2013 at Section ‘D,’ South Sophia.
Schwartz sustained burns to the upper body and right arm after the suspect doused her with a flammable substance and set her alight as she stood on her front steps.
The woman was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she spent three weeks and later succumbed to her injuries. Heywood was subsequently charged with her murder. At the opening of the Demerara Criminal Assizes last month, Heywood pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter before Justice James Bovell-Drakes.
His sentence had however been deferred pending the outcome of a psychological evaluation and probation report; both of which were presented to the court yesterday.
The evaluation conducted by Dr. Bhiro Harry found the accused to be of a sound mind and capable of entering the guilty plea and understanding the consequence, thereafter.
Prior to sentencing, attorney Mark Conway made a plea of mitigation on behalf of Heywood. Conway asked the Court to consider his client‘s good conduct as a prisoner and the fact that he has shown signs that he can be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. Conway said that in prison, Heywood regularly attends anger management courses and church services.
On the other hand, State Prosecutors Orinthia Schmidt and Mandel Moore asked that the accused be given a sentence commensurate with his actions.
Considering all factors involved, Justice Drakes sentenced Heywood to 21 years in prison— his sentence would have amounted to more jail time, but the Judge deducted years for the time he spent on remand prior to the hearing. (Rehanna Ramsay)

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