Judge upholds Defence legal submissions in granny’s manslaughter trial

Jun 28, 2012 News

The manslaughter trial of Thakurmani, 64, the West Berbice woman who is accused of killing her husband, is expected to continue today in the Berbice High Court before Justice James Bovell-Drakes and a mixed jury.
When the matter was called yesterday, Justice James Bovell-Drakes upheld the legal submissions of Defence Counsel Rabrindranauth Singh. A Voir Dire (a trial within a trial in the absence of the Jury) was conducted after Singh had challenged the admissibility of a statement allegedly made by the accused.
When the matter was first called the woman told the court then that she could not read and write and had a hearing impairment. She was also not represented by a lawyer.  Attorney at law Singh eventually made an appearance for the accused.
However, before the matter began he informed the court that he would like to challenge the caution statement allegedly made by the accused, thus triggering the vior dire on May 29.
The woman, of Bennett Dam, Rosignol, West Berbice, is alleged to have killed her husband, Yodha, called ‘Ramsook Maikhoo,’ a fish vendor on April 27, 2008 following a misunderstanding at their home. They had seven children.
Thakurmani was initially charged with the capital offence, but was committed on the lesser charge at the completion of a Preliminary Inquiry held at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court by Magistrate Nigel Hawke. She was subsequently granted bail in the sum of $200,000.
The matter is being prosecuted by state prosecutor Attorney at law Rhondel Weever.  Meanwhile, Weever sought an adjournment to Thursday, to open her case as witnesses were not available.
A post mortem examination performed on the body showed that Yodha, died from shock and internal haemorrhage.