SEVENTEEN-year-old Abickie Ferguson, who had accused her stepfather, Glendon Scipio, of many attempts to rape her, is now on trial for his murder.

Prosecutor Rhondel Weever declared yesterday that the accused had admitted to the killing of Scipio, while the girl’s father Ronald Ferguson testified that he has evidence that the deceased had made several attempts to rape his daughter.
In her opening address to the jury, Weever stated that she would lead direct and circumstantial evidence to prove the prosecution’s case.
Pointing out that it is the State that has brought the case against the accused; Weever said that it is the State that has the burden to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
According to her, this means that after the evidence is presented through the witnesses called by the prosecution and that evidence is tested by the defence under cross-examination, members of the jury must feel convinced that it was Ferguson who murdered Scipio.
The prosecutor went on to say that in order to prove its case, the State intends to call several witnesses who will either give direct or circumstantial evidence.
Weever said that in April 2009, Ferguson was 17-years-old and Scipio, the deceased, was her stepfather and the two of them along with her mother, Esther Simon, lived at 78 Victoria Road, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara.
On Wednesday 22nd April, 2009 an incident took place between the stepfather and Ferguson at the    home at Victoria Road, Plaisance, resulting in an altercation between them and the death of Scipio.
It is the State’s case that Ferguson stabbed Scipio with a knife which resulted in his death.
A post-mortem was conducted on the body of Scipio by Dr. Brijmohan who concluded that the cause of death was shock and haemorrhage and a cut to the aorta.
It is the State’s case that Ferguson was arrested on the night of 22nd April 2009, and when she was told of the allegation she admitted inflicting the fatal injury to Scipio.
The accused also gave an account regarding the circumstances under which the injury was inflicted, resulting in the death of Scipio, the prosecutor told the judge and jury.
The hearing is continuing before Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed jury.
Attorney-at-Law Huckumchand is appearing for the defence.