Jamal Bacchus, a 57-year-old minibus operator, has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for the killing of fellow bus driver Dhanshana Ram, bringing a close to a case that has lingered for nearly a decade.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
The sentence was handed down by Justice Nareshwar Harnanan at the High Court in Demerara. Bacchus will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years, and his time already spent on remand will be deducted from the sentence.
Bacchus was initially charged with the 2015 murder of Ram but later faced a manslaughter charge, to which he pleaded not guilty. During the trial, Bacchus’ attorney, Nigel Hughes, argued that his client was provoked during the incident, claiming that Ram had thrown a hot cup of coffee at him, triggering a defensive response.
The Incident
The fatal confrontation between the two drivers, both well-known in the minibus community, reportedly escalated from a heated argument. The court heard that Bacchus, who had operated as a minibus driver for over 15 years, reacted after being struck by the coffee, leading to the tragic outcome.
Aftermath
The sentencing brings some closure to the families involved and serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of violence. The case has also reignited conversations about conflict resolution and safety among public transport workers.
Bacchus will serve his sentence with the possibility of parole, marking the end of a lengthy legal process and a somber chapter in the local transportation sector.
