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Ritualistic beating of 20-year-old…Dental technician charged with manslaughter
A Dental Technician of 153 Wismar Housing Scheme, Linden and a mother of two, who was arrested last week
Kerry Sandiford
Monday in Linden for allegedly causing the death of her god-daughter during a ritualistic beating, stood before Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to face a manslaughter charge.
According to the allegation, between November 16 and November 17, at Wismar Housing Scheme Linden, Kerry Sandiford unlawfully killed 20-year old Todah Richards.
Sandiford was not required to plead to the indictable charge. She was represented by Attorney –At-Law, Konyo Sandiford Thompson, who requested bail.
In her bail application, Thompson told the court that her client is 35 years old, mother of two children ages two and five. She said that she was gainfully employed as a Dental Technician at the One Mile Health Centre in Linden for the past three years. The lawyer said that Sandiford poses no risk of flight since she has no travel documents.
Thompson noted that her client is the godmother of the victim with whom she shared her home.
She claimed that on November 17, the victim had a doctor’s appointment to meet with a Dr. Bhiro Harry but could not attend given the unfortunate incident.
Her lawyer said that she recognized the seriousness of the offence, but stated that the constitution requires her client the right to a fair trial. The Attorney vowed that her client will return to court if she is granted her pre- liberty. Thompson said that her client has showed her willingness to comply with the police and attend court.
The presiding Magistrate inquired whether there were any objections to bail from Police Prosecutor Michael Grant, who responded by objecting to the application based on the seriousness of the offence.
Prosecutor Grant said that on the day in question the victim went to the home of the accused with whom she had frequent quarrels. According to the Prosecutor the defendant tied the victim to a bed around 20:00hrs.
The next day Sandiford made checks and discovered her goddaughter’s motionless body. Sandiford made an alarm, Police discovered upon arrival that the belt was tied to the neck of the deceased and noted that there were lacerations about her body. The victim was taken to the Mackenzie Hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival. An investigation was conducted and the accused was arrested and charged.
Magistrate McLennan upheld the Prosecutor’s objections and denied the Dental Technician bail. The matter was subsequently transferred to the Linden Magistrate’s Court for December 9.
Kaieteur News understands that during questioning, the Dental Technician admitted to being responsible for her goddaughter’s death.
A post mortem was conducted by Dr. Bridgemohan at the Georgetown Public Hospital Friday last. Reliable sources relayed that Richards’s body bore numerous marks and lacerations. The cause of death was compression of injuries to the neck.
The accused is described as a ‘staunch’ member of the Holy Ghost Movement Church, to which the dead woman’s father is the pastor. Neighbours told this newspaper that loud noises were heard coming from Sandiford’s home and then suddenly all was quiet, adding that it was only until police arrived that they realized that something was amiss.
Pastor John Richards later admitted to investigators that his daughter was mentally ill for the last five years; and would often say that her late mother was coming for her.
Community members however, told this publication that the church was known for beating demons out of its believers after praying.
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