Henrietta Logger Convicted of Manslaughter
December 19 2024 – At the High Court in Demerara, 29-year-old logger Marlon La Rose was convicted of manslaughter in connection with the death of 24-year-old Kevin Hercules of Wiruni, Upper Demerara River.
Dead: Kevin Hercules
The jury delivered its verdict on Monday, opting for the lesser charge of manslaughter after La Rose was initially indicted for murder. While acquitted of the murder charge, La Rose remains in custody and is scheduled for sentencing on January 17, 2025.
The case, presided over by Justice Sandil Kissoon, centered on an incident that occurred between September 12 and September 13, 2021. Hercules’ body was discovered floating in the Berbice River on September 14, 2021, with injuries that suggested foul play.
Reports from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) revealed that Hercules was last seen alive drinking with friends at a local shop before departing in a boat. His body was later found with facial mutilations and a wound to the neck.
State Counsels Alvaro Ramotar and Delon Fraser led the prosecution, presenting evidence that highlighted the circumstances leading to Hercules’ death. The defence, led by attorney Ronald Bostwick, sought to cast doubt on the prosecution’s case.
On December 16, 2024, Justice Kissoon summarised the evidence for the jury, which deliberated before reaching its decision. The sentencing phase will take into account probation and prison reports, a victim impact statement, and other relevant factors, including mitigating and aggravating circumstances.
La Rose, a resident of Maria Henrietta, Upper Berbice River, now faces the possibility of significant prison time as the court considers the weight of the evidence and the impact of the crime on the victim’s family and community.
