DEREK ACHONG
Senior Reporter
derek.achong@guardian.co.tt
A 22-year-old man from Penal will spend the next nine years in prison after admitting to stabbing a neighbour to death in an altercation in 2023.
Leon Sherwin Baptiste was awaiting trial for murdering Carlyle “Blacks” Hamilton when he was allowed to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter by provocation, with the approval of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), earlier this month.
In deciding on the appropriate sentence for Baptiste during a hearing Thursday, High Court Judge Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds began with a starting point of 18 years, which was partially based on the lack of premeditation and provoking conduct of his victim.
Justice Ramsumair-Hinds then applied a two-year discount based on the fact that Baptiste had a clean criminal record before committing the killing and did not commit any disciplinary offences while on remand.
She also pointed out that Baptiste has good prospects of reintegration into society after completing his sentence, based on his age and support from his family.
After applying a one-third discount for his guilty plea and deducting the time he spent on remand before pleading guilty, Justice Ramsumair-Hinds noted that he would complete his sentence in a little under nine years.
In passing the sentence, Justice Ramsumair-Hinds sought to address Hamilton’s father, who attended the hearing virtually.
“You may think you deserve a pound of flesh that I can never give you. It is actually impossible. It would never be satisfactory, I extend my condolences to the family,” she said.
Justice Ramsumair-Hinds called on Baptiste to remember the effects of his actions.
“Another man just as young as you is now dead. You will always have that on your conscience,” she said.
She encouraged him to participate in rehabilitation and skills training programmes while completing his sentence.
“You are very young. There is so much you can do in eight years. Use everyday in prison to your advantage,” she said.
Baptiste was accused of killing Hamilton near his home at Lachoos Road, Penal, on September 8, 2023.
According to the evidence, two days before the killing, Hamilton was liming with a group of friends when they were approached by an intoxicated Baptiste, who voiced his displeasure about the conversation they were having.
Baptiste allegedly threatened to shoot them after they dismissed his concerns.
Two days later, Baptiste went to his aunt’s house and confessed to stabbing Hamilton.
Baptiste, who was allegedly holding a blood-stained knife, claimed that Hamilton had harassed and attacked him while they were outside a shop, and he (Baptiste) stabbed him (Hamilton) in self-defence.
Baptiste eventually surrendered to the police after he was attacked by residents.
A post-mortem revealed that Hamilton died from a single stab wound to his neck.
Baptiste was represented by Jason Jackson and Krysan Rambert.