Mahaica man found guilty of murdering neighbour

A 50-year-old Mahaica, East Coast Demerara man, was on Thursday found guilty by a 12-member jury for the murder of his neighbour in 2017.

Foster Gravesande was on trial before Justice Navindra Singh at the Demerara High Court.  The jury found Gravesande guilty of the charge, which read that on April 09, 2017, he murdered 49-year-old Courtney Porter.

Gravesande was represented by attorney-at-law, Dexter Todd, while the State was represented by prosecutor Teriq Mohammed.

Todd asked the court for a probation report to be prepared for his client before he is sentenced. The judge granted the application and deferred sentencing until January 7, 2021.

According to reports, on May 25, 2017, Porter was reportedly beaten to the head with a piece of wood by Gravesande, who had accused him of pulling his wife’s clothes.

Porter was hospitalised, while Gravesande was charged with attempt to commit murder and released on bail; however, on May 25, 2017, Porter succumbed to his injures and Gravesande was charged with murder.