I News Guyana Reports : Aquiella Abrams, a 32-year-old woman from Golden Grove, has been acquitted of manslaughter in the death of her reputed husband, Michael Wilson. The High Court accepted that she acted in self-defense during the incident.
Justice Priscilla Chandra-Hanif delivered the ruling at the Demerara High Court, concluding nearly three years of legal proceedings. The judge upheld a no-case submission from Abrams’ attorneys, Yuborn Allicock and Shauntelle Wright, instructing the jury to return a not-guilty verdict.
Abrams was initially charged with murder in October 2022 following Wilson’s death and was remanded to prison. The charge was later reduced to manslaughter, and she was granted $500,000 bail in March 2023. The prosecution alleged that Abrams fatally stabbed Wilson, 40, on October 10, 2022, at their East Coast Demerara residence, where he sustained two stab wounds to the abdomen and subsequently died at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
The trial revealed a tumultuous relationship marked by frequent quarrels, allegations of infidelity, and incidents of domestic violence, with police reports indicating that Abrams was often identified as a victim of abuse.
On the day of the incident, Abrams had informed Wilson of her decision to end the relationship and began preparations to move out. A heated argument ensued, during which Wilson allegedly armed himself with a knife and wounded Abrams on her forearm. In the ensuing struggle, Abrams wrested the knife away and stabbed him twice.
Her defense argued that the evidence supported her claim of self-defense and that the prosecution failed to prove otherwise. Justice Chandra-Hanif agreed, ruling that the prosecution had not established beyond a reasonable doubt that Abrams acted unlawfully.
With the directed acquittal, Abrams is cleared of all charges, and the case has been formally dismissed.
Court Orders ‘Melly Mel’ to Pay Over $38M for Defamation
