Taxi driver Ranachal Singh is now awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty yesterday morning to the 2016 killing of Sophia woman Simone Hackett, whose body was found in a trench between Third and Fourth streets, Cummings Lodge.
He pleaded not guilty to the capital offence, but guilty on the lesser charge of manslaughter, accepting that he unlawfully killed the woman between April 16th and 19th, 2016.
Meanwhile, Hackett’s former partner and father of her son—Cleavaughn Hamilton—will be facing a jury for her murder.
At his arraignment yesterday morning following Singh’s appearance before Justice Sandil Kissoon, Hamilton pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that he had murdered Hackett.
Justice Kissoon has set Monday September 5th for the commencement of his trial at the High Court in Demerara.
Singh meanwhile, will be sentenced on September 26th for the role which he would have admitted playing in the woman’s murder.
His sentencing was deferred to facilitate the presentation of a probation and other social impact reports.
His attorney Latchmie Rahamat confirmed with the Court that her client had signed to the statement of agreed facts presented against him by the prosecution.
Justice Kissoon confirmed being in receipt of that statement, and so did Prosecutor Muntaz Ali.
In the circumstances, the Judge noted that it would not be read out in court.
He would later admonish jurors who were present for the arraignment of Singh, not to draw any preconceived conclusions and to disabuse their minds therefrom; when they come to hear the case against Hamilton.
He also admonished the panel to be guided only by the evidence presented at trial.
Hamilton is being represented by defence attorney Alaira Murphy-Goodman.
It had been reported that on April 16th, Hackett left her Sophia home to pick up a package that she was told was sent for her son, who was celebrating his birthday the following day. She, however, never returned home.
Three days later, two schoolboys found a body in a trench between Third and Fourth streets, Cummings Lodge.
It later turned out to be Hackett’s.
