LOCAL SINGER Jessica Xavier, 27, faced with a causing death by dangerous driving charge since last March 5, made another appearance before Sparendaam Magistrate Alex Moore. On her last court hearing, on April 29, her lawyer, Mr. Marcel Bobb, successfully requested that she be given back her driver’s licence, as she needed it to attend to important work at Lethem, in the Rupununi District. The magistrate had granted the request, but had ordered Xavier to lodge her passport.
On her return to court on Friday, Police Prosecutor Sergeant Bernard Browne accepted Counsel Bobb’s request for the Administration of Justice Act to be applied, in which Xavier entered a plea of not guilty. The matter was adjourned to June 18 for statements.
The allegation against Xavier, who is on self-bail, is that last February 26, at Mon Repos Public Road, East Coast Demerara, she drove a vehicle in a reckless manner and caused the death of 20-year-old Vangaskar Ramcharitar. In court, she was flanked by her parents, who are very much protective of her, even in the courtroom. There were also other close friends and relatives present.