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“I know how it feels to lose someone you love” …vendor tells court after sentenced to 32 years for murder
(Kaieteur News) – A 33-year-old vendor was on Monday sentenced to 32 years in prison for the 2021 murder of a man whom he stabbed 17 times.
The sentence was handed down by acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh at the Demerara High Court.
The convicted man, Osafi Johnson, of Lot 707 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was indicted for the murder of 24-year-old Nico Layne, called “Daddy,” of the West Front Road squatting area, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Layne was killed on March 28, 2021, after being attacked with a cutlass and a knife.
Convicted: Osafi Johnson
Johnson pleaded guilty to the offence on February 11, 2026.
According to the agreed facts, on March 28, 2021, at about 01:15 hrs, Layne parked the bicycle he was riding near a snackette and joined a group playing cards at the junction of High and Hadfield Streets, on the northern side of Silvie’s General Store.
About 30 minutes later, Layne began searching for his bicycle, which went missing. He subsequently left the area, walking north along High Street toward Brickdam.
Roughly an hour and a half later, between 03:10 hrs and 04:05 hrs, Layne was seen running back towards the group from Hadfield Street, being chased by two men, including Johnson, who was armed with a long knife, and another man identified as Tafari, who carried a cutlass. A woman, Natasha Tait, also armed with a cutlass, was reportedly with them.
Layne, who had already sustained injuries and was bleeding from his armpit, asked the group for a knife before continuing to flee. He ran south along High Street, turned east onto Leopold Street, and eventually collapsed.
Johnson and his accomplice caught up with him and inflicted multiple stab wounds. Layne was later seen lying on the ground while the attackers stood over him before walking away and attempting to stop a passing vehicle. After failing to do so, they fled the area but were later apprehended by police on Lyng Street, Charlestown, and taken to the Brickdam Police Station.
Dead: Nico Layne
Layne was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
During the sentencing hearing, victim impact statements were presented by Layne’s family, who remain visibly distraught nearly five years after his death.
His sister, Sheneza,“Nico was my youngest sibling. When our mother died, I felt responsible for caring for him. He was the most willing and caring person. His death has significantly impacted our lives. He brought life to our yard. It has been five years, but his death is still felt daily. I miss my brother and will forever grieve his loss. I ask the court for justice.”
Another sister, Lonnele Layne, told the court, “My brother’s death affected everyone. My aunt became extremely stressed and depressed over his murder. She became severely ill and died as a result. Seeing how the convicted men continued to stab my brother, as if he were a domestic animal, was extremely painful.”
When given a chance to speak, Johnson expressed remorse, stating that the killing was not deliberate. He said he had learned from his actions and was ashamed.
“I know a life was lost. I did something bad. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me? I know how it feels to lose someone you love. If I had the power to bring him back, I would. Forgive me, I beg of you,” he told the court.
His attorney, Dexter Smartt, argued that Johnson is capable of rehabilitation. He noted that reports from prison authorities described Johnson as respectful, cooperative, and compliant with institutional rules, and that he had participated in programmes aimed at personal improvement. Counsel also highlighted that Johnson had no prior convictions and maintained a strong Christian faith.
However, prosecutor Christopher Belfield urged the court to consider aggravating factors, including the seriousness of the offence, the prevalence of unlawful killings, and the extent of the injuries inflicted on the victim.
Delivering the sentence, Justice Singh stated that the court began with a base sentence of 36 years. 12 years were deducted for Johnson’s guilty plea, and a further two years for favourable reports. However, four years were added due to the impact on the victim’s family and six years for the cruelty of the act, resulting in a final sentence of 32 years imprisonment.
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