Berbice man pleads guilty to killing US-based Guyanese

Leon Gonsalves of Crabwood Creek, Corentyne on Thursday pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge for the 2022 killing of 21-year-old United States-based Guyanese Chatterpaul Lakhan when he appeared before Justice Gino Persaud at the Berbice High Court. The court ordered the preparation of a probation report, an impact report and a psychiatric evaluation ahead of sentencing. The prosecution is also expected to file submissions on aggravating factors, while the defence will present arguments in mitigation. Gonsalves is scheduled to return to court on October 5 for sentencing. Lakhan, also known as “Rickash”, had arrived in Guyana to attend his brother’s wedding when he was killed at Crabwood Creek on March 9, 2022. Reports at the time indicated that an altercation developed after three men who had entered a family gathering were asked to leave and subsequently began damaging vehicles parked outside.

Lakhan and other relatives went onto the street, where a confrontation followed and the 21-year-old was stabbed. He was taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Gonsalves was subsequently charged with murder and remanded to prison in May 2022.