Bail for woman charged with unlawfully killing brother

A day after the funeral of 29-year-old Leston "Coco Tea" Henry, his sister faced a Couva magistrate charged with unlawfully killing him.

Magistrate Christine Charles, via virtual hearing on Friday afternoon, granted the 28-year-old accused $120,000 bail.

The unemployed accused, a single mother of four, was not called upon to plead to the manslaughter charge. She lives at Hillcrest Drive in Claxton Bay.

Attorneys Taradath Singh and Nicole Maharaj represented her. They told the court that the circumstances in the matter were "unfortunate." Singh and Maharaj said the family does not possess titles to any property or have money.

The only possible avenue for the woman’s release on bail, the attorneys said, was for her mother to be named as the surety.

WPC Dyer-Baptiste of the Homicide Bureau Region III laid the charge and Sgt Vicki Ranjitsingh prosecuted.

The magistrate adjourned the case to June 26.

Police are contending that Henry and the accused were arguing in the yard of the family’s home at about 6 pm last week Thursday over allegations of abuse of a toddler.

It escalated into a fight during which Henry was stabbed and died.

Newsday learnt he was buried on Thursday. Relatives wanted her to attend the funeral, but she could not because she was still in police custody.