Miner arraigned for murdering co-worker who hit him out of his sleep

Twenty-four-year-old Cane Vincent, who allegedly stabbed his co-worker to death after he lashed him out of his sleep, was remanded to prison on Tuesday.

Vincent, a miner of South Rupununi, Quarries Village, Region Nine, was hauled before Magistrate Teriq Mohamed in the Bartica Magistrate's Court and was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

The charge stated that on April 18, at Piyuka Falls, Puruni River, Vincent murdered 19-year-old Leonel Beria, also known as ‘Frankie.’ Following the hearing, Vincent was remanded to prison, with his next court appearance scheduled for May 14, 2024.

According to a police statement, Beria and Vincent were employed by Reneeta Andrews, a miner.

Reports are that at about 03:20h on April 14, the defendant was imbibing with his co-workers and fell asleep in a hammock.

However, it is alleged that the dead man hit Vincent while he was asleep. Vincent reportedly woke him up in a fit of rage, armed himself with a knife, went to the victim’s hammock, and dealt him four stabs to his back.

The victim ran to his employer’s room, where he sought refuge and subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

A report was made to the police, and on arrival, law enforcement officials found Beria’s motionless body. The body was examined, and four stab wounds were seen to his back: two to his upper back and two to the midsection.