Phillip Bacchus, known as ‘Fish,’ 55, from Mahdia, Region Eight, was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Thursday for the unlawful death of Leavern Daniels. Bacchus had initially been indicted for murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
The incident occurred between May 9 and May 10, 2019, in Princeville Village, where Bacchus killed Daniels, also known as ‘Toy’ and ‘Roy.’ The sentence was delivered by Justice Navindra Singh at the Essequibo High Court.
State Prosecutor Caressa Henry urged the court to consider aggravating factors, including the use of a knife and the severity of the injuries inflicted on the victim. Justice Singh initially imposed a 24-year prison term but adjusted it based on several mitigating factors: eight years for the guilty plea, four years for a favorable probation report indicating no prior offenses, three years for genuine remorse, and an additional two years for the impact of the killing on the victim’s family.
In his remarks, Justice Singh emphasized the unreasonable nature of Bacchus’s response to annoyance, stating that conflicts should be resolved without resorting to violence. He underscored the need for individuals to learn conflict avoidance in a civilized society.
Witness Alexcena Joseph recounted that on the night of the incident, Bacchus had been heard stating loudly that he wanted to kill someone. Later, she discovered Daniels lying on the ground with severe injuries, prompting her to call the police.
A detective from the Mahdia Police Station examined the scene on May 10, 2019, and found Daniels with a severe abdominal wound. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Bacchus was arrested on May 12, 2019, while seated nearby and reportedly admitted to the crime, claiming that an argument had escalated after he was called a racist slur.
Bacchus expressed remorse during his confession, acknowledging his actions and the consequences they had on the victim and the community. His 11-year sentence reflects the court’s commitment to addressing violent crime while acknowledging the complexities of the case.
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