Supply woman, 21, remanded for children’s killings

Apr 08, 2014 News

Twenty one-year-old Hofasawa Awena Rutherford appeared impassive as she quietly occupied the prisoners’ docks during the court proceedings late yesterday afternoon.

Murder Accused: Hofasawa Awena Rutherford

Moments before her case was called by Magistrate Zamilla Ally, the defendant who was decked in black and white, strolled casually up to the courtroom at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court which at the time was solely occupied by court officials and police ranks.
Rutherford is the woman who allegedly killed her children by feeding them a poisonous substance on March 27 at their Lot 10 Supply, Mahaicony home.
Two Thursdays ago, as she relieved a relative of babysitting duties, Rutherford reportedly told the relative that she “had a surprise” for her children. The mother took them home and allegedly fed her them ‘carbon tablets’.
Jabari Ajoya Cadogan, 16 months old, died at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, while his sister, four-year-old Hodociea Juliana Cadogan, succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Rutherford’s arraignment was merely days after she was discharged from the hospital since she too had reportedly ingested the deadly rodenticide.
Rutherford, who was unrepresented by legal counsel, faced one count of murder for the two children. When the single charge was read to her she was not called upon to respond since it was laid indictably.
Rutherford who stared stonily at the Magistrate spoke only to confirm her age, address and that she was unemployed and had never been charged before any court.
State Prosecutor, Inspector John Singh, explained to Magistrate Ally that advice had been sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who recommended that a single count of murder for the two children be instituted against her.
Inspector Singh said, “The Prosecution at this stage would object to bail.” He indicated that it was a Mahaicony matter and the court there operates on Mondays and Wednesdays.
“There are other works to be done with regards to this matter, so I would ask for April 24 for report at Mahaicony.”
Magistrate Ally, in response, granted the Prosecution’s request and Rutherford was remanded to prison. The case is set to be called on April 24 before Magistrate Sueanna Lovell for report at the Mahaicony Magistrate’s Court.