Grande man guilty of manslaughter

A SANGRE GRANDE man was yesterday found guilty of a lesser count of manslaughter by way of unlawful act. He had been charged with the October 20, 2001 murder of Sargan “Mr Freitas” Seeraj. The jury deliberated for almost three hours before returning with the verdict. It had been alleged that Francis “Big Boy” Gibbs, of Vega de Oropouche, had mistakenly hit Seeraj, of Jacelon Trace, Vega de Oropouche, on the head with a piece of asphalt. The asphalt was reportedly aimed at another man, Ignatius DaBreau, also of Vega de Oro-pouche, after a scuffle with Gibbs over a white fowl.

However, the asphalt hit 58-year-old Seeraj in the head, and he died at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital 12 days later. State prosecutor Jennifer Martin had opened the case on May 24 before Madame Justice Alice Yorke Soo-Hon and had later called six witnesses. State attorneys Angelica Teelucksingh and Alexander Prince assisted with prosecution. The defence team, comprising attorneys Larry Lalla and Nadia Ashraph, had called the accused and one other witness to the stand.

In addition, the attorney said, the accused showed remorse when he did not flee after realising that he had injured Seeraj. He did not realise just how serious the nature of the injury was. The fact that he turned himself in to the police when he realised that a warrant had been issued for his arrest, Lalla said, should be taken under consideration. In response, prosecutor Alexander Prince insisted that the innocent loss of a life due to a reckless act was a serious offence and the court needed to send a clear message and impose a custodial sentence. Sentencing was adjourned to June 2.