A 24-year-old Georgetown woman is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of her partner, who died from severe burn injuries sustained during a domestic altercation at their New Market Street, North Cummingsburg residence.
Melissa David, of Lot 99–100 New Market Street, appeared before the High Court last week and entered a guilty plea to the lesser count of manslaughter. The case, originally indicted as murder, stemmed from an incident on May 22, 2024, involving David and her 31-year-old partner, Edmond Moses. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 13, 2026.
The court heard that David and Moses were in a romantic relationship and lived in the same two-storey apartment building, though in separate rooms. A domestic dispute that had begun earlier in the day over personal and household issues escalated during the evening hours. At approximately 18:05h, a flammable liquid was thrown on Moses and he was set alight inside the apartment, with fire quickly spreading to the landing area and causing panic among other occupants.
A neighbour, Abdur Rahman Wohab, became aware of the incident after hearing disturbances and observing signs of fire. He and another resident used buckets of water to bring the blaze under control. Moses was found exiting his apartment with extensive burns to his upper body, arms and lower limbs and was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation in critical condition.
Despite receiving treatment, Moses’s condition deteriorated over several weeks. He subsequently died, and a post-mortem examination conducted on July 15, 2024, by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh determined the cause of death as pneumonia resulting from septic burns. The injuries covered approximately 50 to 55 percent of his body surface area.
During the scene examination, investigators recovered a yellow jersey and a wooden stick as exhibits, and observed a mop on the balcony that appeared to contain traces of a liquid consistent with kerosene or a similar flammable substance.
Following her arrest on the day of the incident, David provided a caution statement admitting her involvement and indicated that a physical confrontation had preceded the fire. In a subsequent written statement, she alleged the dispute arose over accusations involving personal belongings and money, that she was assaulted during the confrontation, that she was prevented from leaving the room, and that she acted out of fear — circumstances that ultimately led to the fire being set.
Residents of the building corroborated hearing loud arguments and threats exchanged between the couple shortly before the incident. David was initially charged with attempted murder at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, with the charge later elevated following Moses’s death. After investigation and presentation of agreed facts, the charge was reduced to manslaughter, to which she pleaded guilty.
The matter is being prosecuted by State Counsel Padma Dubraj, Nelissa Peterkin and Aleria Aliya Heywood, while David is represented by Attorney-at-Law Ronald Bostwick.
