A Couva man has been sent to prison for one year for unlawfully killing a man 11 years ago.
Justice David Harris, sitting in the San Fernando Second Criminal Court, handed down the sentence to Ramesh ‘Doctor’ Ramdial, 48, even though his lawyer pleaded for a non-custodial sentence. Ramdial was found guilty last month of unlawfully killing Motilal Persad.
According to the state’s case, led by attorney Trevor Jones, on January 2, 2003, 43-year-old Persad was waiting in a line at the Green Door Bar in Couva to ‘play a mark,’ when he was pulled outside by Ramdial.
During a struggle Ramdial slapped Persad, causing him to fall to the ground. Jones said Ramdial hit Persad and he died from the blow.
An autopsy done by pathologist Hughvon Des Vignes found that Persad died of a torn stem artery and facial trauma.
Attorney Selwyn Ramlal appeared on Ramdial’s behalf and told the court that for the past 11 years Ramdial had kept a clean record.
Ramlal said his client had changed his life and had become deeply involved in the church, now leading a life of serving God.
He said Ramdial had also stopped the habit of alcohol use and drug abuse and had been attending Alcoholics Anonymous since 2007.
Ramlal asked the court for a non-custodial sentence for Ramdial, so as not to interfere with Ramdial’s religious activities.
He said to consider when sentencing that Ramdial was the sole breadwinner for his home as his brother had multiple bypass surgeries and their mother was ailing. He said Ramdial was not a threat to society.
Ramlal also said that Persad’s brother had indicated he felt Ramdial should be given a chance. Ramdial’s employer had also endorsed him, saying he was a respectful person.
In passing sentence, Harris said he had looked at the probation officer’s report, and while Ramdial was commended in the report, he needed to take some responsibility for his actions, as he did not seem remorseful.
However, Harris said, no weapon was used by Ramdial neither was the slap premeditated. He sentenced Ramdial to one year in prison and advised him to do something constructive with his time in prison. (SR)