On Wednesday, Justice Navindra Singh sentenced a farmer who admitted killing his ex-reputed wife and her new lover to seven years in jail.
Maxwell Usher, age 51, formerly of Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), was initially accused of murdering Imogene Gordon, age 49, and her partner 43-year-old Royston John at his (Usher’s) home which the woman was sharing with her spouse.
The killing took place on March 18, 2020.
Usher chose to admit guilt to the lesser charge of manslaughter at his arraignment at the Demerara High Court on July 17 after conferring with his attorney-at-law Teriq Mohammed.
Justice Singh began with a beginning sentence of 24 years per deceased victim before deducting time for mitigating circumstances, early guilty pleas, and other factors.
Finally, Usher was handed a seven-year jail term on each of the two counts. However, the sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will only serve seven years behind bars.
Also, from the final sentence, deductions have to be made for the time he spent in pre-trial custody. This matter was prosecuted by State Counsel Caressa Henry.
Usher was brought before a Magistrate a week before the killings because he had threatened to kill John. He was sentenced to a peace bond and ordered to leave his property after pleading guilty.
This publication has learned that Usher attacked Gordon and John at his (Usher’s) Lot 177 Prosville Wismar, Linden, Region 10 at approximately 20:35 on the day in question.
Usher reportedly went to the area to take care of his farm, which is located on a parcel of land at the back of his house, but John stopped him from entering the yard.
This led to a scuffle between the men during which Gordon reportedly gave John a knife to attack Usher. Usher subsequently disarmed John, stabbing him and Gordon.
When Police ranks arrived at the scene, they discovered the now-dead couple with stab wounds about their bodies.