A psychiatric evaluation has been ordered for a woman, who was allegedly found loitering in the yard of her former lecturer with bottles filled with kerosene.
Marsha Archer, 29, said to be a former student of the University of Guyana (UG) who recently completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Law, was charged with vagrancy. She pleaded guilty to the charge.
It was stated that on October 4, in Georgetown, she loitered in the yard of her former lecturer, attorney-at-law Teni Housty.
According to Prosecutor Winneth Hubbard, at about 3:50 am on October 4, Housty was awakened by a sound which came from his gate. Upon investigating, he discovered Archer in his yard with a Stag beer bottle filled with kerosene and a wick attached to it. She also had a Pepsi bottle also filled with kerosene.
Hubbard said that Housty reported the matter to the Alberttown Police Station and Archer was later arrested and charged.
Attorney Christopher Ram, who represented Archer, said that his client was a former student of Housty’s and that she may be of unsound mind and therefore not responsible for her actions. In light of the situation, he requested a psychiatric evaluation to be performed on her.
Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, who heard the case, stated that a family member would have to make a request for the evaluation. As a result the case was stood down and after some time Archer’s mother appeared at the court. The woman, who recounted an episode with her daughter at home, said Archer has been on medication since June.
The magistrate subsequently made a request for a psychiatric evaluation report and the case was adjourned until October 12.
