Man jailed for killing stepfather

IN SENTENCING Suraj Mohammed to three years in prison for causing the death of his stepfather, Justice Paula Mae Weekes said the court could not condone action which caused a life to be lost, although provocation was a factor in the incident. She explained that others must be deterred from taking matters into their own hands and retaliating. Justice Weekes said she had taken into consideration the fact that Mohammed had been in custody since 2000, but noted that he was deserving of punishment, since his action had resulted in the death of a 67-year-old man who was also his relative.

Mohammed, of Carlsen Field, was originally charged with the murder of his stepfather Bachan Partap. However, when the matter was called on March 10, his attorney Oscar King told the court that his client was pleading guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. State attorney Wayne Rajbansie said the State was accepting the guilty plea to manslaughter and Mohammed was re-indicted on that charge. Mohammed and Partap got into an argument at their home on September 28, 2000. During the argument, Mohammed took up a piece of iron and beat Partap about the body. Partap died of the injuries and Mohammed was charged with his murder. King explained that the two men had been drinking that day and it was Partap who had started the argument.