Woman who set child’s father ablaze slapped with attempted murder
A 24-year-old woman who threw gasoline on her child’s father and set him on fire was on Friday slapped with an attempted murder charge and remanded to prison.
Melissa David of New Market Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, was hauled before acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
She was not required to plead to the charge, which stated that on May 22, 2024, at New Market Street, Georgetown, she attempted to murder Edmond Moses, a 32-year-old taxi driver.
Prosecutor Quincy Lacon stated that the altercation began after Moses refused to buy Ensure for David, telling her to use her own money instead. This led to David allegedly picking up a container of gasoline and setting Moses on fire.
However, when given the opportunity to explain, the 24-year-old woman presented a different version of events. She claimed that the argument started while she was cleaning and asked Moses to buy Ensure and juice for their son.
She said Moses told her to get them herself and left the apartment. He returned around 18:30h, demanding his wallet. According to David, when she informed him she had found it, Moses punched her in the eye and began choking her. She pretended to pass out, only for Moses to punch her in the stomach and kick her.
David further alleged that Moses threatened her with a knife, prevented her from leaving the room, and took her phone. Fearing for her life, she said she acted in self-defence by setting him on fire. She claimed the abuse had been ongoing for two years and that previous reports to the police had not resulted in any action.
David has been assigned counsel from the Legal Aid Clinic but remains in custody. She is scheduled to reappear in court on June 7, 2024, for the disclosure of statements and reconsideration of bail.
The Police had stated that David set Moses on fire after he accused her of taking $18,000 from his wallet.
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