THE preliminary inquiry (PI) into the death of secondary school teacher, Kescia Branche, continued on Thursday before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

A 47-year-old taxi driver, Matthew Munroe, who it is alleged committed the crime, is charged with her murder.
On Thursday, Branche’s former workmate and friend, Brianna Michael, testified. Also taking the witness stand was Cheddi Griffith, called “Uncle Cheddi’.
The matter continues today, Friday, June 8.

Branche, a mother of one, who resided in Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, was last seen alive on November 4, 2017, when she left for a night-out with friends.
However, she was found in an unconscious state in the vicinity of Princes Street and Louisa Row the following day. Her left leg was broken and there was evidence that she had sustained multiple head injuries.

The Richard Ishmael Secondary School teacher died at the Georgetown Public Hospital two days after being found battered. A post-mortem indicated that she died as a result of brain hemorrhage.

During the investigation, three suspects who were being questioned regarding the death of Branche were released. The father of Branche’s three-year-old son was released on November 14 and placed on station bail, along with two police constables. The two ranks were later charged departmentally for neglect of duty, consuming intoxicating liquor while on duty, improperly entering licensed premises and acting in a manner likely to bring discredit to the reputation of the Force.

At the time of the trio’s release, the police were seeking to contact a taxi driver whose cell phone number appeared repeatedly on Branche’s mobile phone.
The taxi driver’s car was impounded at the Brickdam Police Station, subsequent to his reported departure from the country after Branche was found in an unconscious state. Investigators are of the opinion that the driver may have been the last person to see the teacher alive.

When arrested, the taxi driver claimed that his car was involved in an accident after he drove into a pothole, but according to a police report, the damage to the car was consistent with the injuries Branche received.