Killer fisherman to know fate Wednesday

A FISHERMAN who assisted in the murder of another who was thrown overboard back in 2005, will know his punishment when the case is called on Wednesday.

On May 24, 2005, fisherman Ronald King was held up by Anthony Ballai and another man who robbed him of his boat engine and then threw him overboard into the sea.

Ballai, 42, is before Justice Maria Wilson who is presiding in the San Fernando High Court. He pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter in May 24, 2005.

King was last seen alive at the Erin beach on his boat “Unbelievable”. He did not return home. The next day his boat was found abandoned on the beach with the engine missing.

On June 6, 2005 a search party found King’s body along Beaulieu Beach in Cedros. He was identified by his brother via dental records. Due to the state of decomposition, an autopsy could not be done.

Four days later, police arrested a man and on that same day Ballai surrendered at Siparia Police Station. Ballai admitted to holding up King at sea and stealing his engine.

However, Ballai said his accomplice was the one who threw King overboard into the sea. The court heard that the man confessed to tying up King and hitting him with a piece of iron before throwing him overboard.

When interviewed by police, Ballai said that when his accomplice struck King to the head he fell. He said they then took King’s boat engine out and placed it into Ballai’s boat.

Attorneys Ramesh Deena and Aaron Seaton are representing Ballai. Deena said his client, while present, did not participate in throwing King overboard. “He was at the wrong place at the wrong time, with the wrong company,” Deena submitted.

Deena in referring to his client's bio-social report, said he assisted in sporting activities at the prison. He said his client had already spent 13 years in prison awaiting trial and is deserving of a third discount for pleading guilty.

State attorney Sabrina Dougdeen-Jaglal in listing the aggravating factors, asked the judge to consider that a life was lost. She said the offence was committed by two people acting together.

However, Dougdeen-Jaglal acknowledge the mitigating factors that Ballai had no previous conviction and did not inflict violence on the deceased. She said it seemed Ballai was influenced by the other man.

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"Killer fisherman to know fate Wednesday"

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