‘Junior’ Jailed 11yrs for Manslaughter

December 23 2025 

Francisco Sampson, a 30-year-old miner known as “Junior,” has been sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison for the 2021 killing of fellow miner Eon Anthony Ramnarine at Obanna Backdam, Kurubrong, in Region Eight.

The sentence was imposed by High Court Judge Justice Priscilla Chandra-Hanif, who also ordered that the period Sampson has already spent in custody be credited toward his prison term.

In addition, the judge directed prison officials to ensure that Sampson undergoes conflict resolution training, rehabilitation programmes, and psychological counselling prior to the completion of his sentence.

Sampson, a resident of Bartica, was originally charged with murder. However, the State accepted a plea to the lesser offence of manslaughter.

The prosecution was conducted by State Counsel Caressa Henry, assisted by State Counsel Fenton Budhram, while Sampson was represented by attorney-at-law L. N. Dindayal.

In outlining her reasons for the sentence, Justice Chandra-Hanif underscored the gravity of violent offences and the need for accountability, while carefully weighing both mitigating and aggravating factors presented by the parties.

The defence drew attention to Sampson’s youth, expressions of remorse, prior good character, and his cooperation with investigators following the incident.

Prosecutors, however, highlighted the use of a deadly weapon, the degree of violence involved, the devastating effect of the killing on the victim’s family, and the broader prevalence of violent crime in society.

Evidence before the court revealed that Sampson of Bartica, and Ramnarine, a 38-year-old father of three, were known to each other and had been living and working in neighbouring mining camps.

Police were alerted on October 4, 2021, to a suspected murder at Obanna Backdam. Officers were directed to the mining camp operated by Francisco Sampson Sr., where they encountered the convict.

Sampson reportedly handed over a knife with a black handle and guided police to the body of Ramnarine, which was found motionless in a bushy area, partially covered with a bedsheet.

Investigators observed blood stains on the victim’s clothing and on the surrounding ground, and a piece of wood stained with blood was recovered nearby.

After being cautioned, Sampson told police that he acted in self-defence, claiming he was struck by Ramnarine with a piece of wood.

He was subsequently arrested and transported to the Mahdia Police Station along with the knife, the piece of wood, and the victim’s body.

On the following day, Sampson and Ramnarine were taken to the Mahdia Regional Hospital, where Ramnarine was pronounced dead.

A post-mortem examination conducted on October 8, 2021, revealed 11 stab wounds, including multiple injuries to the chest that penetrated the heart and lungs.

The cause of death was determined to be perforation of those organs.

Following the killing, Sampson was charged with murder.

After the conclusion of a preliminary inquiry, he was committed to stand trial in the High Court by Magistrate Sunil Scarce on October 17, 2023.