Man pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of cane harvester

Donald Grovesnor, 30, known as “Black Boy,” has pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in the death of 29-year-old Suraj Jailall, also known as “Neshal.”

Grovesnor, initially charged with murder, admitted to unlawfully killing Jailall between March 3 and 4, 2019, in Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

The plea was entered during his arraignment before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Demerara. Grovesnor’s sentencing has been deferred to October 30, 2024, pending the submission of probation and social impact reports. Until then, he remains on remand.

The case is being prosecuted by attorneys Muntaz Ali, Madana Rampersaud, and Christopher Belfield.

According to reports, the fatal incident stemmed from an argument that took place while both men were drinking at a local shop in their community.

Grovesnor allegedly accosted Jailall but initially let him go and returned home.

He later came back armed with a cutlass and fatally struck Jailall, who died the following day at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) from injuries sustained in the attack.

Jailall suffered a severe chop to the head, which also resulted in part of his ear being severed.

The dispute is believed to have originated in February 2019, leading to the tragic altercation a month later.