…..”Sent to prison for 9 years over fatal stabbing”
By FRANCIS JOSEPH
A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to nine years in jail after pleading guilty to the unlawful killing of his mother more than seven years ago.
Michael Joseph, also called Michael Mack, was originally charged with murder. He was charged with the murder of his mother, Allistra Mack-Kampo, on August 24, 2019 at Chin Chin Road, Las Lomas. He was also charged with common assault and attempting to murder his great aunt, Rodha Mack.
After his guilty plea, Madame Justice Sherene Murray-Bailey started his sentencing at 27 years, and after all the discounts, Joseph remained with nine years and one month to serve.
Attorney Michelle Ali represented Joseph, while State Chenelle Moe, appeared for the State.
THE FACTS
On the night of Saturday 24th August, 2019, Rodha Mack, went to sleep in her bedroom at Chin Chin Road, Las Lomas. She last observed her niece, Allistra Mack-Kampo, in the company of her five-year old daughter, Alyssa Kampo at her home.
At around 11 pm on the said date, Rodha was awaken by loud screams and bawling and she recognized the voice of Allistra saying, “Michael stop it, Michael stop it.” (Michael was her son).
Rodha proceeded to Allistra’s bedroom by way of the bathroom. Near the foot of Allistra’s bed, Rodha saw Michael Joseph leaning over his mother while pounding her with his right hand onto her upper body in an up and down manner.
Allistra was on her back lying at the foot of the bed. Rodha heard Allistra continue to scream aloud, “Michael stop it”. Rodha then told Michael, “Michael leave her alone”. Michael turned towards Rodha and began pounding her with a knife he was holding.
Rodha felt blood gushing from her head and neck and became fearful for her life. She then pushed Michael away to escape but she saw him return to Allistra, who laid there on the foot of the bed, as he continued pounding her.
Rodha exited the room. She continued to hear Allistra crying and screaming in distress. Upon reaching outside her home, Rodha saw her nephew, Rudy Manohar. Rodha told Rudy that “Michael beating up his mother inside!” before going to the residence of Olive James.
Outside of Rodha’s house at this time was Andrew Mack, in company with his brother Antonio Mack and his cousin Rudy.
Andrew entered the front door of Rodha’s house and closed the door behind him. Although inside the house was dark, the light emanating from Rodha’s bedroom provided some light. Michael emerged from the bedroom with his hand around Alyssa’s throat.
Andrew saw Michael was wearing surgical gloves that was soaked in blood. Andrew called out to him however. Michael seemed surprised by his presence and asked why he was there. Michael attempted to hold Andrew but Andrew evaded him and ran towards the back door.
Michael uttered “I am sorry” several times to Rudy. Outside the said house, during this time, Andrew observed Michael taking off the gloves and heard him ask “wha happen, wha happen?” Rudy began slapping Michael on his face and put him to sit down on the ground. Rudy then entered Rodha’s house and entered Allistra’s bedroom. Rudy saw Allistra lying on the bed and observed that she was gasping and holding her neck with one hand as if she was choking.
Blood was observed coming from Allistra’s nose and mouth. Allistra died at the scene. A medical report revealed that Rodha suffered multiple lacerations to the scalp, face, chin and bilateral lower limbs and left frontal laceration with underlying frontal bone skull fracture.
Police later arrived on the scene. Michael was later conveyed to the Gran Couva Police Station and kept there for safe keeping. The officers then proceeded back to the crime scene and escorted Allistra’s body to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex Mortuary for safe keeping.
WHAT THE ACCUSED SAID
When questioned by the police, Michael said “I regret what I did.” He continued by saying, “I ask God, my little sister, my aunt and my mother for forgiveness. And all I asking for is a second chance to make what I made wrong right.” Later on in the interview, Michael stated that he went to his grandmother around 10 or 11 that night and retrieved a knife.
He said he began to think about what his mother did to him when he was younger and proceeded to the premises. While there, he went to her room and said, “I went into my mom room and I started to think and that is where all the frustration and thing start to build up and then I explode and start to stab up everything.”
Michael remembered his aunt bawling, “O God help meh.” He then recalled how he saw his little sister crying and him being detained by villagers and beaten.
On Friday 30th August 2019, PC Vialva formally charged Michael for the offences.
