Mazaruni prisoner sentenced to 47 years for killing fellow inmate

Robbery convict Akeem Edwards, who was found guilty by a 12-member jury for killing a fellow inmate of the Mazaruni Prison, has been sentenced to 47 years in prison.

Akeem Edwards

The sentence was handed down by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the High Court in Essequibo.

The court heard that on September 14, 2014, in Essequibo, Edwards murdered 21-year-old Teon Smith, who was serving a five-year sentence for robbery underarms.

Justice Sewnarine-Beharry sentenced the convict to 47 years imprisonment and ordered prison authorities to deduct the time he has already spent in custody.

He must serve 40 years before becoming eligible for parole. This was Edwards’ second trial for this murder, with his first ended in a hung jury.

Facts state that Smith was stabbed to death by Edwards during an argument at the Mazaruni Prison. It was reported that the incident escalated when Smith went to retrieve a cell phone from a known hiding spot but could not find it.

Smith then accused Edwards of removing the phone. It was reported that during the lunch break at the penitentiary, Edwards armed himself with a knife, went over to Smith’s cell, and dealt him several stabs about the body.

The injured inmate was rushed to the Bartica Regional Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.