THIRTY-four-year-old Latoya Angel of East Canje, Berbice, was found not guilty before Justice Zamilla Ally-Seepaul, of two charges: attempted murder and wounding with intent.
The verdict was returned last week at the High Court in Berbice.

The case stemmed from an incident involving her former lover, Danny Vanooten, in January 2020, when she allegedly poured hot oil on him during a domestic dispute.
The court heard that on January 8, 2020, Vanooten, 54, visited Angel’s home after feeling unwell. He brought tablets, but a disagreement arose over where to place them.

Later, Angel’s teenage daughter testified that she heard arguing, followed by the sound of a slap and then her mother crying. This argument escalated into an altercation, with Vanooten reportedly threatening to break all of Angel’s bones.

The following day, after Angel’s children left home, she reportedly asked Vanooten to leave. This request enraged him, and according to Angel, he physically assaulted her, dragging her to the bedroom, hitting her with a cutlass. Vanooten reportedly said to her: “You think is so, you does walk in people life, and walk out.”

After the assault, Angel went to the Reliance Police Station, where she made a report and was treated for her injuries at New Amsterdam Hospital. She was subsequently arrested, charged and remanded into custody for several days.

However, the prosecution submitted that it was Angel who attacked her lover on January 9, 2020, after he went to her home complaining of feeling unwell.
The prosecution submitted that Vanooten was doused with hot oil, suffering severe first and second-degree burns to his face, neck, arms, and torso.

He was initially admitted to New Amsterdam Hospital and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he took self-discharge in March 2020. Vanooten later claimed that the attack was sparked by a dispute over money he had left with Angel, which she could not account for. Angel and Vanooten had reportedly commenced an intimate relationship in June 2019.

Defence attorney Kevin Morgan represented Angel throughout the trial.