Husband convicted of wife’s murder to be sentenced today
Sherlock James, the 59-year-old gold miner convicted of murdering his wife, Vinnette Headley-James, will return to the High Court in Georgetown today for sentencing. The imposition of his sentence follows a unanimous guilty verdict delivered by a 12-person jury.
Murdered: Vinnette Headley-James
James was found guilty of the brutal stabbing of his 46-year-old wife, a clothes vendor, during a heated argument at their Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home on August 21, 2019.
James had initially pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. However, after hearing the evidence presented during the trial, the jury delivered a unanimous verdict, convicting him of the capital offense.
The trial was presided over by Justice Zamilla Ally-Seepaul, who will pronounce the sentence. The case has garnered significant attention, particularly given the tragic nature of the crime and its impact on the family of the deceased.
It was reported that a few days before the victim, Vinnette, met her demise, she was stabbed by her husband, Sherlock James, during a heated argument over an accusation of an extramarital affair.
Convicted: Sherlock James
However, he returned to the woman’s home a few days later and was greeted by his clothes and other belongings being dumped in the yard. He reportedly demanded that the woman stop throwing out his personal belongings but she refused to comply.
This reportedly angered the man, who armed himself with a knife and stabbed the mother of three to her neck.
Headley-James was rushed to the CC Nicholson Hospital where she died whilst receiving treatment. The police later found James lying with a wound to his neck a short distance away from where the crime was committed.
He was escorted to the GPHC where he received treatment under guard and was discharged to make court appearance on Friday.
Police reports indicated that James worked in the interior and would spend long periods away from home.
The couple have eight children together but only three were living with them at their Nabacalis Side Line Dam, ECD home. (G8)
