| An apologetic Rudolph London was yesterday sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment for killing hisRudolph Londonreputed wife four years ago.London told the court that he was sorry for his actions and begged for leniency before the sentence was handed down by Justice Franklyn Holder at the High Court in Georgetown.“I am sorry. I know these words can’t bring back life, but I am asking the court for mercy,” London said yesterday.On March 10 last, he appeared before the judge and pleaded guilty to killing his reputed wife, Shaunell Warrick. The incident occurred on New Year’s Day in 2011.Warrick, a nursery school teacher, was severely chopped with a cutlass while visiting the Best Village, West Coast Demerara residence of her in-laws. Following the incident, she was hospitalised and remained in an unconscious state at the Georgetown Public Hospital until she eventually succumbed to her injuries on January 31, 2011.London had been charged with murder, but he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter at his initial hearing before the High Court, earlier this month. Following the guilty plea, London’s Attorney, Adrian Thompson requested a probation report.The report which was read aloud to the court yesterday outlined that London, a former employee of the City Constabulary Department was known as a quiet, hard working and respectful individual, before 1994. That year, the man was involved in an accident. He sustained serious head injuries, which resulted in a change of hisDead: Shaunell Warrickpersonality.According to the report, the 43-year-old resident of Best Village, West Coast Demerara, changed drastically as he “began hearing voices in his head”.It was noted too that London’s mental instability had resulted in psychiatric treatment for some time.According to the probation report, the troubled man would constantly threaten his spouse to kill her. London also had a record of being arrested and convicted on counts of simple larceny and possession of narcotics. He admitted to using the illicit substance.The report further stated that London, who was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for simple larceny and six months imprisonment for possession of narcotics,Deion Sanders Falcons Jersey, was just two days ago sentenced by a Magistrate to serve three years in prison for marijuana possession.It was noted, nonetheless, that with regards to his wife’s killing, London had expressed complete remorse.London’s counsel held too that his client has been repentant for his actions. The attorney submitted that his client has never sought to waste the court’s time, given that he had taken responsibility for his actions ever since he was charged and placed before the lower court.The attorney also highlighted the fact that his client suffered from psychiatric issues and noted that this might have been the basis of his behaviour towards his partner.While the attorney categorically stated that this was “no excuse,” he explained that his client had answered his wife’s cell phone and the voice on the other end of the line might have triggered his mental problems. The attorney then indicated to the court that his client had a few words to say before sentencing.As such, the prisoner stood up and apologised to the family of the deceased and the court for his actions.Before the sentence was handed down, the judge noted that based on the probation report, London was in the habit of threatening his partner.“If you feel a woman is being unfaithful to you walk away. If you’re getting problems with one woman find another. There are plenty women around,” the judge advised London.In his calculation, Justice Holder initially sentenced the accused to 23 years in prison. However, he took nine years off the jail time, citing London’s remorse and prior incarceration pending the outcome of the case. The judge also took into consideration that the accused did not waste the court’s time.Reports indicated that the victim and her mother, Angela Warrick, were scheduled to attended church on Old Year’s Night in December 2010, but she (Shaunell Warrick) changed her mind after the taxi they had called for took some time to arrive. While the mother headed to church, the Nursery School teacher headed to the West Coast residence where her reputed husband lived with his relatives.The elder Warrick said that she was later informed that her daughter had been injured after she had a misunderstanding with her reputed husband. She said that her daughter’s relationship with the man had been marred by abuse.Close friends of the victim had also reported that London had attacked Shaunell at least twice while she was at school. On one occasion, he arrived at another Nursery school with a knife, with the intention of stabbing his reputed wife. The couple has one child together.The matter was prosecuted by State Counsel Teshana Lake, Orintha Schmidt and Shawnette Austin. |
