10-yr jail sentence for man who killed friend at Timehri Wharf

A 10-year prison sentence was on Tuesday imposed on Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD) resident, Phillip Solomon, who had earlier this month pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the death of his friend and co-worker.

Solomon, 45, had appeared before Demerara High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds earlier this month, indicted for the capital offence of murder.

He, however, pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, admitting that he unlawfully killed Vernon Cummings, 51, also of Timehri on October 24, 2018 at Timehri Docks.

Solomon was represented by defence attorney Jermaine Jervis, while the prosecution was represented by State Counsel Latifah Elliot.

Based on previous reports, Solomon and Cummings besides were friends and both worked as labourers at the docks. The duo who would usually drink together and have arguments, ended up in a physical altercation on the day in question.

During the scuffle, Cummings armed himself with a piece of iron, while Solomon picked up a wooden paddle. They then began lashing each other. Solomon’s brother, after hearing of the incident, rushed to the scene to make peace.

According to reports, he took away the piece of iron from his brother. At this point, his brother lashed Cummings in the head with the wooden paddle, resulting in him falling to the ground. An injured Cummings was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he died while receiving treatment.