Man pleads guilty to 2022 Riverview murder

Nicholas DaSilva, 21, also known as “Terror,” has admitted to killing Mark Delon Frank during a confrontation in Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, in November 2022.
DaSilva, a resident of Riverview, appeared before Chief Justice (ag) Navindra Singh at the High Court in Demerara, where his guilty plea was formally accepted. During the proceedings, the accused confirmed that he fully understood the charge, its legal implications, and that no one had pressured him into pleading guilty.
He also affirmed that he had not consumed any substances that could impair his judgment.
Justice Singh reminded DaSilva that by pleading guilty, he was relinquishing his right to a trial by a 12-member jury.
DaSilva acknowledged that he understood the potential consequences, which could include a prison term of up to 35 years. Following the court’s confirmation that the elements of murder had been satisfied based on the agreed facts, the plea was officially accepted.
The judge directed that several reports be prepared before sentencing, including a probation report, a prison conduct report, a victim impact statement, and assessments of aggravating and mitigating factors. DaSilva’s sentencing is set for November 19.
DaSilva was represented by Defence Counsel Madan Kissoon, while the State was represented by Christopher Belfield, Simran Gajraj, and Geneva Wills.
Court documents reveal that the incident occurred around 7:00 a.m. on November 25, 2022. DaSilva and 39-year-old Frank, of La Penitence, Georgetown, engaged in a heated argument on a cross street in Riverview. After briefly leaving for a nearby shop, Frank returned, only to be attacked by DaSilva, who stabbed him in the neck with a “Rambo” knife. The weapon was later wiped clean and returned to its case.
In a caution statement to police, DaSilva admitted to using the knife against Frank, citing an old grievance between them. A post-mortem examination confirmed that Frank died from haemorrhage and shock resulting from the stab wound. At the time of the incident, DaSilva was 18 years old and remains in custody.