“Cross Eye” gets 15 years in jail for killing lover’s reputed husband during home invasion

34-year-old Corwyn Arthur was on Monday sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for the May 10, 2018 murder of his lover’s reputed husband. Though initially indicted for murder, Arthur, aka “Cross Eye”, opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter, thereby admitting that he unlawfully killed 42-year-old Claude De Jonge. According to reports, De Jonge was in a long-term relationship with 37-year-old Tonya Samuels.

But reports are that Samuels and Arthur were also in a secret relationship, and he would usually sleep over at her home. On the day in question, Arthur visited the woman’s home at Cinderella City, Mackenzie, Linden. when he became angered by the presence of De Jonge. When De Jonge asked him to leave, an argument erupted between them.

Later in the day as De Jonge was sleeping with his Samuels, Arthur returned to the home where he gained entry through an open window. He was armed with a knife which he used to inflict several stab wounds on De Jonge. Following the brutal stabbing, Arthur made good his escape. De Jonge was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

In sentencing Arthur, Justice Kissoon noted that the mitigating factors were “overwhelming”. In that regard, the judge pointed to the favourable probation report. Apart from that, Justice Kissoon also pointed to the good reports received about Arthur from prison officials, his family, and members of the Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden community where he lived.

When given a chance to address the court, the confessed killer said that he was sorry for what he had done. “I would like to give my remorse to the deceased’s family. I am sorry for my actions,” Arthur stated. Turning his attention to Justice Kissoon, Arthur pleaded, “I am kindly asking you to be lenient with me.”

In the end, Justice Kissoon sentenced Arthur to 15 years’ imprisonment. The judge further ordered that the prison authorities are to deduct the time Arthur spent in pre-trial custody from the sentence.

The case for the prosecution was presented by State Counsel Lisa Cave, while lawyer Racheal Bakker appeared for Arthur. This matter was heard at the High Court in Demerara.