Life expectancy takes centre stage as massacre convict asks CCJ to cut parole period

(Kaieteur News) – Justices at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Wednesday heard an appeal filed by attorneys for Michael Caesar, who earlier this year had his sentences for the Lusignan and Bartica massacres reduced by the Guyana Court of Appeal (COA).

A significant part of the hearing was focused on the question of life expectancy in Guyana, which is one of the grounds being argued by the appellant, who is contending that by the time he becomes eligible for parole, he will be well beyond the average life expectancy in Guyana.

Attorneys-at-law Nigel Hughes and Kiswana Jefford have appealed to the CCJ, challenging the sentences imposed by the COA following Caesar’s convictions for manslaughter arising from his involvement in the Lusignan and Bartica massacre killings.