NGO pays bail for pregnant woman accused of killing husband

Thirty-two-year-old Sandra Brescenio, a housewife of Cannaballi Village, Region One (Barima-Waini), is now out on bail after spending four days in jail since she could not post the $300,000 bail she was granted.
Brescenio was charged with manslaughter after she allegedly killed her abusive husband, Clarence Williams.
However, after she publicised her financial challenges, the United Bridge Builders Mission (UBBM), a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) went to the woman’s aid and posted her bail.
During a telephone interview, the NGO’s founder, Bonita Montaque stated that a few volunteers along with businessmen pooled funds to post bail for the pregnant woman.
“I have been carrying out too many body bags of women being murdered by the hands of male partners. I have been dealing with several incidents where children as well are being abused,” Montaque explained, adding that Brescenio would need support.
“She is five months pregnant and also has four children, so outside of this, there is legal team that needs to be retained. She needs quite a lot of support along with preparation for the baby and everything else. Emotional support is desperately needed,” Montaque added.
Brescenio appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts last Friday before Magistrate Dylon Bess and was not required to plead to the charge which stated that on April 14, 2020, she killed her 35-year-old partner, Clarence Williams. Reports are that Williams had threatened to push Brescenio into a fire, which resulted in a heated argument, during which the man choked her. It is alleged that the woman was cleaning fish and allegedly stabbed Williams twice to the groin. According to reports, prior to the incident, Brescenio was at a church service when Williams reportedly demanded that she leave and order her to return home to cook his meal.
After the stabbing incident, the man went to bed, but was later discovered dead. Magistrate Bess released Brescenio on $300,000 bail. The case will be called again on July 7 at the Acquero Magistrate’s Court.