PARAMARIBO – 35-year-old Erwin A. was recently found guilty of aggravated assault and attempted manslaughter before being sentenced to 4 years in prison. He had begged Judge Rudge to give him a second chance so that he could go to the Netherlands but the judge decided to sentence him in accordance with the prosecutor’s demand.

When the defendant celebrated his birthday on July 27th he drank too much alcohol and also used cocaine before attacking a man in a store located near his home. Witnesses and the retailer told the police that the defendant suddenly started punching the victim, who eventually lost consciousness. Erwin then dragged the victim outside before pushing him in a ditch. Bystanders tried to stop him, but their attempts were futile. Judge Rudge asked the defendant if he realized what could have happened to the victim, if bystanders had not intervened but Erwin claimed that he could not remember anything. “I was shocked when I saw the videos the next day,” said the defendant…[+]