Double murder convict slapped with two life sentences

For the 2011 killings of two individuals, former Fyrish Village Corentyne, Berbice Fisherman Ravendranauth Mohanlall was given two life sentences on Monday.

Justice Sandil Kissoon of the High Court in Berbice imposed the jail sentences.

A jury last month found 55-year-old Mohanlall guilty of the murders of fifteen-year-old Renard Fernandes, also known as “Renny,” of Rose Hall Town Reef, Corentyne, and forty-five-year-old Beeram Motilall, also known as “Boy,” of Chesney Village, Corentyne.

DEAD: Reynard Fernandes

Mohanlall was represented by lawyer Stacy Goodings

Muntaz Ali, a State Counsel, prosecuted the case.

Mohanlall was sentenced to life in prison for each of the killings and these sentences were ordered to run concurrently.  

Parole for this murderer will only be granted when he has served at least 30 years in prison on each count.

For the killings, Mohanlall had been placed on remand since 2011

Judge Kissoon stated during his sentencing statement that the inordinate delay in scheduling Mohanlall’s trial led to a breach of Guyana’s Constitution, Article 144 (1), which states that every accused person shall be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time.

The judge ruled that this offender be given full credit for all the years he has been on remand and deducted five years from each of the sentences for this breach of the convict’s fundamental right.

The event occurred at sea near Bush Lot Village, Corentyne, between September 6, 2011, and September 12, 2011. After Beeram Motilall and Renard Fernandes departed to go fishing, Ravendranauth Mohanlall doled out gasoline on them and lit them on fire while they were asleep.

DEAD:Beeram Motilall

Motilall was the captain of the fishing vessel. Because of the severe burns on their bodies, adult respiratory distress syndrome was listed as their cause of death. The duo sustained second and third-degree burn injuries, to about 50-65 per cent of their bodies.