BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MEKEL CLARKE of Challengers Village, who was charged with the murder of a fellow villager, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Tuesday (Dec. 1).
Clarke, who was to stand trial during the September 2009 Criminal Assizes for the October 14, 2007 murder of Ernish Emmanuel Weekes, pleaded not guilty to murder at the start of the assizes and had her trial date set for December 1.
Upon Clarke’s return to court, however, Director of Public Prosecution Paulina Hendrickson sought leave of the court to amend the one-count indictment to include another - manslaughter. The accused received an opportunity to enter a plea in light of the amended indictment.
Clarke’s counsel, Angela Inniss suggested to the court that a psychiatric report on the woman was prepared prior to her being committed to stand trial at the High Court, and suggested that a social enquiry report should now be compiled which she felt was necessary.
His Lordship Justice Francis Belle denied the request, indicating that the compilation of such a report is usually triggered by a conviction. He however suggested that the court may be able to refer Clarke to a new “clinic” at the Joseph N. France General Hospital where she could go for further evaluation.
The amended indictment was read to Clarke and, with the assistance of defence counsel Inniss, she indicated to the court that she was innocent of the murder charge but pleaded guilty to that of manslaughter.
Following her submission of the guilty plea, His Lordship Justice Belle ordered that a social enquiry report on Clarke be compiled. He also ordered that Clarke be referred to a psychiatric clinic for further evaluation.
The young woman is to return to court on December 17, 2009 where her sentencing hearing is expected to begin.
