“Biggie” Sentenced to Life for Shooting Childhood Friend
November 12 2024 – Lenroy Michael Forde, widely known as “Biggie” received a life sentence for the 2021 murder of his
childhood friend, Odingo Anthony Heywood, in Charlestown, Georgetown.
Justice Sandil Kissoon delivered the sentence on Monday in the Demerara High Court, mandating that Forde serve a minimum of 30 years before eligibility for parole.
The trial, held from October 14 to 17, 2024, scrutinized the deadly shooting that took place on April 21, 2021.
According to court records, Forde, 26, visited Heywood’s home, where a dispute quickly spiralled into violence. Forde then pulled out a firearm and shot Heywood multiple times, with 10 bullets hitting him in the back. Heywood, 25, was declared dead at the scene.
Dead: Odingo Anthony Heywood
Prosecutors Alvaro Ramotar and Delon Fraser presented evidence indicating the altercation stemmed from an alleged robbery involving an associate of Heywood.
Despite his denial of guilt, Forde was convicted by a unanimous jury.
Represented by attorney Glendon Greenidge, Forde, a father of one, maintained his innocence but was ultimately implicated by witness testimonies and physical evidence.
After the murder, he fled Charlestown, adopting a new appearance to avoid arrest. A police bulletin eventually led to his capture in Bartica, Region Seven, where his girlfriend, who had been hiding him, was also detained.
The trial revealed further details about the crime, including Forde's disposal of the murder weapon behind his partner’s residence in Three Miles Bartica.
He later provided a confession to the police.
In his final statement, Forde expressed regret to Heywood’s family, acknowledging the irreversible impact of his actions. “I’m sorry,” he said.
However, Justice Kissoon described the crime as “cold-blooded and premeditated,” noting that Forde exhibited little remorse throughout the proceedings.
The judge emphasised that Heywood’s life was unjustly cut short, leaving his family to grapple with an irreplaceable loss.
In addition to the life sentence, Forde must participate in anger management and educational programmes during his incarceration, aimed at his reformation.
