NICOLA Joseph walked out of the High Court a free woman on Tuesday after Justice Jo-Ann Barlow directed a 12-member jury to return a verdict of ‘not guilty’ of murder in her trial for the July 21, 2014 killing of her reputed husband during a domestic quarrel.

The decision was handed down after the prosecution had no evidence to disprove a self-defense case led by the defence. Before exiting the courtroom on Tuesday, the visibly relieved mother of six thanked Justice Barlow and the 12-member jury, after which she embraced her relatives who had attended the trial.

Joseph was represented by Attorney Sonia Parag, while the State was represented by prosecutors Siand Dhurjon and Tameika Clarke. The prosecution’s case was that Joseph stabbed her reputed husband, 38-year-old Curtis McKinnon, to death at their Lot 12 Plantain Walk, Klein Pouderoyen, West Coast Demerara home during a heated row which escalated into a scuffle.

Neighbours had reportedly heard the couple arguing, and they were informed about the stabbing by Joseph’s 18-year-old son, who ran out of the house and summoned them. McKinnon was found bleeding on a mattress and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

According to police reports, McKinnon was stabbed in his neck, and Joseph had visited a nearby police station to file a report, and was arrested.