Man Loses Appeal in Manslaughter Case

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – An Acklins man found guilty of killing his friend following a dispute has lost an appeal against his conviction for manslaughter and 20-year prison sentence.

Marvin Edgecombe was initially charged with murder in the 2017 stabbing death of David Hanna. However, the jury convicted him of the lesser charge of manslaughter following a trial in 2021.

Edgecombe and Hanna had an initial dispute at a bar in Spring Point, Andros on June 3, 2017.

Hanna, a fisherman, was trying to sell his catch. Edgecombe interrupted the sale negotiations and Hanna asked him to leave him alone.

Edgecombe went to his seat, but returned and hit Hanna in the chest.

In response, Hanna broke a gin bottle over Edgecombe’s head.

Soon after, Hanna left the bar. While Hanna was at a home-based restaurant, Edgecombe, who was still bleeding from the head, showed up, demanding that Hanna come outside.
He stabbed Hanna multiple times as he was about to get into his vehicle.

Hanna told a policeman that Edgecombe stabbed him.

Edgecombe admitted to the stabbing, but told the officer that Hanna had injured him too.

Hanna was taken to the island’s clinic, where his injuries were cleaned and sutured. However, he died a day later from internal bleeding, according to an autopsy.

In dismissing the appeal, the Court of Appeal said the overwhelming evidence against Hanna could have resulted in a murder conviction.

The court also found the sentence fit the crime.