– defence seeks to block caution statement
A mother, who was accused four years ago of murdering her two children, is currently on trial at the High Court before Justice Brassington Reynolds.
Joanna Danhai, formerly of Farm, East Bank Essequibo, was charged with murders of her nine-year-old daughter Keisha and her seven-year-old son Jamal. It is alleged that between August 30 and 31, 2005 the accused murdered her children.
A voir dire (trial within a trial) is being conducted to determine whether the caution statement, containing material which incriminates Danhai, was given freely and voluntarily and should be admitted to evidence. Defence attorney James Bond yesterday contended that the caution statement should not be entered into the case as evidence because it was only used as an exhibit during the PI in the Magistrates’ Court and there are indications that the statement was not given freely and voluntarily by his client.
Attorneys-at-law Zammina Ally, Latchmie Rahamar and Rhondel Weever, are leading the state’s case.
Mellis Hinds, the children’s grandmother, had reported that the children were complaining of severe stomach pains. They were rushed to the hospital; one died before reaching there and the other succumbed the following day. Reports had stated that Danhai used a poisonous substance to end the lives of her children.
A preliminary inquiry to determine whether there was enough evidence for her to stand trial in the High Court was subsequently conducted. More than a year after being charged Danhai was committed to stand trial in the High Court for the murders.
The case continues today.
