As the High Court trial of former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Private Abiola Jacobs continued, Justice James Bovell-Drakes, the presiding judge, and the jury on Monday visited the home of murdered housewife Donna Taylor, 55.
On January 31, 2014, Taylor’s motionless body was found lying face up at her Lot 16-17 Agricola, Greater Georgetown home. Her throat was slit, her hands were behind her back, and her shirt was wrapped around her neck.
The defendant, Jacobs, was placed at the scene of the attack. She has, however, denied the allegation of having murdered Taylor, and has been on trial for the last few weeks.
Former GDF rank Abiola Jacobs being escorted from court
The jury was recently told by Taylor’s daughter, Marcelle Collymore, that the accused, Abiola Jacobs, and her mother had had a fight on the day of her mother’s demise. This was also confirmed in the evidence of Police Superintendent Joel David, who testified that Jacobs informed him that she had spoken with Taylor on the day of her death. Superintendent David had also observed that survivor of the attack, Samantha Sabbatt, had placed Jacobs at the scene of the January 31, 2014 ordeal. Sabbatt was an overseas British guest of the Taylors at the time of the housewife’s demise, while Jacobs was the estranged girlfriend of Taylor’s son, Bertrum Taylor, Jr.
It is believed that Jacobs killed her ex-boyfriend’s mother over the differences she shared with the woman’s son. According to reports, the murdered woman was attacked while in bed at some time after 23:00h. She was reportedly dragged to the back of the Agricola flat that she rented. Her body was discovered by a neighbor, who informed other relatives.
Samatha Sabatt was injured after she jumped from the window of the two-storey house when persons invaded the Lot 16-17 Agricola property. Taylor’s cause of death has been given as shock and haemorrhage due to incised wounds compounded with blunt trauma to the head.
Jacobs, of 55 Evans Phillips Park, Agricola, was arrested by Police just days after Taylor’s demise, and was subsequently charged with her murder.
The accused woman is being represented by Defence Counsel Adrian Thompson, while Prosecutors Lisa Cave and Mandell Moore are representing the State. After Monday’s visit to the area, Justice Bovell-Drakes adjourned the matter to continue on Thursday.
