BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE unavailability or absence of the relevant authorities has led to the postponement of Mekel Clarke’s sentencing hearing.

Yesterday (Mar. 4), the young woman appeared at the Basseterre High Court of Justice before His Lordship, Justice Francis Belle to be sentenced for the manslaughter of Ernish Emmanuel Weekes.

His Lordship, during a previous session, ordered that a number of reports and evaluation be compiled, conducted and submitted to the court, to be used during sentencing.

In addition to the reports, His Lordship yesterday ordered that both the counsellor and the psychiatrist, who were attending to Clarke, be present in court in the event that they are needed for questioning or clarification.

He specifically ordered that they be present in court on Thursday, March 11, 2010; the same day Clarke is scheduled to appear before him for sentencing.

Clarke was originally charged with Weekes’ murder, to which she pleaded not guilty at her first appearance before the court during the September 2009 Criminal Assizes. 

Director of Public Prosecution Paulina Hendrickson made an application to amend the indictment to include the charge of manslaughter, which was granted by the court.

Clarke, having been read the altered indictment, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge and has since been on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison.

Weekes’ motionless body was discovered in a chair at his home by police, who responded to a report of a wounding incident. He, according to police reports, was found with a wound to the left side of his chest and was pronounced dead on the scene.