A WOMAN who allegedly stabbed her reputed husband to death on July 21, 2014 at their Lot 12 Plantain Walk, Klein Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara home, is on trial before a 12-member jury and Justice Jo-Ann Barlow in the High Court.The accused, Nicola Joseph, called ‘Nicky’, is being represented by Sonia Pariag while the state prosecutors are Siand Dhurjon and Tameika Clarke.
A total of eight witnesses are expected to testify in this trial and so far three of them have given their sworn testimony.
Inspector Lalbachan Dyal, giving his evidence-in-chief in court on Friday, said that he assisted with the investigation into the murder of Curtis McKinnon.
He related that he photographed the crime scene where he observed there was a ‘reddish’ substance that appeared to be blood on the pillows, bed and mosquito net in a bedroom.
The inspector said that after he had photographed the crime scene he went to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station where he met the accused Nicola Joseph, whom he identified in court, who was sitting on a bench and was being interviewed by Sergeant Singh.
Inspector Dyal said Sergeant Singh then put the allegation to the accused, which stated that she had murdered her reputed husband Curtis McKinnon on July 21, 2014 at their home.
He told the court that she was then cautioned by Sergeant Singh and she replied: “Officer, I didn’t mean to do that. I am sorry I wish [I] can turn back the hands of time and I did it because he hit me.”
Dyal said that in his presence Sergeant Singh asked the accused whether she would like to put in writing what she had said, but she declined, saying she needed to get her lawyer’s approval.
He related that she was not forced to utter those words to Sergeant Singh in his presence and the accused at that time appeared to be ‘worried’ while a diary entry was made by Singh while she was sitting on a bench in the police station.
The inspector told the court that the photos he took of the crime scene were printed, marked, sealed and dated before being handed over to the investigating rank at Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station. Dyal said he took a total of four photos and he made two copies of each, which he kept in his desk drawer in his office.
An application by state prosecutor Siand Dhurjon for the photos to be tendered and admitted as evidence in the trial was then approved by Justice Barlow on Friday.
Meanwhile, under cross-examination by defence counsel Sonia Parag on Friday, Dyal said he did not process the crime scene, but learnt that a knife was found at the scene by another rank.
The matter was adjourned to Monday at 09:00 hrs, when more witnesses are expected to testify.
It is alleged that Curtis McKinnon, 38, a father of four, was fatally stabbed during a row with the accused.
Reports said neighbours heard the couple arguing and they were alerted to 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 where he was pronounced dead on arrival.