A 2022 murder case stemming from a fatal altercation during a cricket match concluded on Tuesday when Afzal Deendial pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter at the Demerara High Court. Appearing before acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh, Deendial had his murder charge formally reduced before entering his guilty plea. The State is represented by Prosecutor Christopher Belfield.
The case involves the death of 25-year-old Kareem Kayum, who was killed during a confrontation at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) ground on Woolford Avenue. The incident occurred on August 12, 2022, when Deendial and Kayum, who were known to be close friends, became involved in a heated argument during the match. What started as routine “name-calling” escalated into violence, with Deendial allegedly arming himself with a knife and stabbing Kayum in the region of the heart.
Kayum collapsed at the scene and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. Following the incident, Deendial was arrested and reportedly confessed to the crime during police interrogation.
At the time of his death, Kayum was just nine days away from his wedding, scheduled for August 21, 2022. Reports indicated that he had met with friends for the cricket match immediately after making shopping arrangements for the ceremony.
Deendial, then 21 years old and a student at the University of Guyana (UG), was initially arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before being committed to stand trial in the High Court.
After the plea was entered, Justice Singh directed that a probation report and a victim impact statement be prepared and submitted to the court by March 10 to assist in the sentencing process. The case has been adjourned to March 16.
