Teen jailed for 4 years

AFTER creating history by becoming the youngest female to be charged with murder, Ria Rampersad, who was just 14 when she was charged with the capital offence, was yesterday jailed for four years by a San Fernando Judge, after Rampersad (now 17) pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

In passing sentence, Justice Rajendra Narine described Rampersad as “an angry woman,” who he hoped could salvage her life. Rampersad pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter on Wednesday October 1, before Justice Narine. Perusing a probation officer’s report on Rampersad, Justice Rajendra Narine said he saw the teen had often resorted to acts of violence and physical confrontation, when dealing with others. “But violence is never a solution, it only creates problems,” Justice Narine stated, as he passed sentence on the teenaged girl who stood in the prisoners’ docks at the San Fernando Second Criminal Assizes.

Rampersad was just 14-years-old and was still attending school, when she was charged with fatally stabbing her neighbour Waneisha “Candy Girl” Williams near their home at Coquette Street, Ste Madeleine, in 2001. The prosecution’s case was that on the night of June 9, 2001, the two had an altercation over a boy and Williams slapped Rampersad on her face in front of a group of people. Later that night, Rampersad armed with a letter opener, waited for Williams in a track. As Williams walked by, Rampersad confronted her, demanding to know why she (Williams) slapped her. A brother of the deceased intervened in the argument and told the accused to go home. Instead, Rampersad walked towards Williams and dealt her a stab in the chest with the letter opener. Williams was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital, while Rampersad went to the Ste Madeleine Police Station where she admitted to the stabbing. Williams died four days later at the Intensive Care Unit of SFGH, and Rampersad was subsequently charged with murder.

The accused’s attorney, Frank Seepersad, pleaded for a non-custodial sentence for the accused, saying that she felt a great sense of remorse over the incident. However, State attorney Narissa Ramsundar countered that a life has been lost and a custodial sentence ought to be imposed. A probation officer’s report revealed that Rampersad had been disrespectful to teachers at school and her mother was unable to exercise parental control in their home. As a result, the judge said, psychological problems manifested themselves. Justice Narine stated however, that the court must consider the rehabilitative aspect of the sentencing. “She has her whole life ahead of her,” Justice Narine said.