SHAMIRIKA Gibson, 23, has pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in the killing of Carol Davidson. The plea was entered before Chief Justice (ag) Navindra Singh at the High Court in Demerara.

Gibson, formerly of North-East La Penitence Squatting Area, Georgetown, had initially been indicted for murder but opted to admit to the reduced charge based on a statement of agreed facts presented to the court.

She is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Madan Kissoon, while the prosecution is being handled by State Counsel Simran Gajraj, Christopher Belfield, and Geneva Wills.

Chief Justice Singh approved Gibson’s guilty plea, and instructed that pre-sentencing reports—covering probation, prison conduct, and victim impact statements—be prepared to inform the sentencing decision.

The court further directed the prosecution to detail aggravating circumstances, while the defence is tasked with submitting mitigating factors for consideration.

Gibson will remain in custody until his sentencing on November 19, 2025.

According to the agreed facts, on June 6, 2022, 21-year-old Davidson was in a yard at East Ruimveldt Squatting Area, Georgetown, when Gibson and her sister attacked her.

During the altercation, Gibson drew a knife from her jacket and inflicted a stab wound on Davidson. The victim ran to the back of the yard but collapsed shortly thereafter.

During the investigation, Gibson gave a video-recorded interview to the police detailing how she caused the injury, and also revisited the scene with investigators.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Davidson died from a perforation of the heart caused by the stab wound to her chest.