Brian Matterson, a resident of Wortmanville, has pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in the 2022 murder of 30-year-old Aubrey Baird. Matterson’s plea was entered during his appearance before the Demerara High Court on Tuesday, where he faced acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh.
The prosecution, represented by Prosecutor Geneva Wills, outlined the circumstances of the case. Baird was with a group of individuals when a verbal exchange escalated into a physical confrontation between him and Matterson. Reports indicate that during the altercation, Baird struck Matterson twice.
In response, Matterson armed himself with a knife and stabbed Baird twice. Baird later succumbed to his injuries, with a post-mortem examination confirming that the cause of death was perforation of the heart.
Following the plea, Justice Singh ordered the preparation of a probation report and a victim impact statement to be submitted to the court by March 10. Sentencing for Matterson is scheduled for March 16.
The incident, which occurred shortly after 9 PM, was reported to have unfolded in the community of Wortmanville. Eyewitnesses indicated that the exchange began with an argument, during which Baird punched Matterson in the face.
Matterson reportedly left the scene on a bicycle but returned after being encouraged by onlookers to confront Baird. Upon his return, he confronted Baird again and stabbed him in the chest, targeting the area near the heart. Baird collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
After the stabbing, Matterson was reportedly attacked by residents before being taken into police custody. Baird’s wife, upon hearing the commotion, rushed to the scene only to find her husband lifeless.
Additionally, Matterson had previously appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts facing attempted murder charges related to an alleged stabbing of his neighbor, Ronald Bettencourt, in a separate incident.
