High Court Judge James Bovell-Drakes on Thursday sentenced 40-year-old Melroy Simpson to 15 years’ imprisonment for the unlawful killing of his reputed wife, Carmelita Jones, who he turned into a human torch on September 26, 2012 at B Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown.
He was originally indicted with murder, but pleaded guilty to the lesser count of
Deceased: Carmelita Jones
manslaughter.
Sentencing had been deferred owing to his lawyer requesting a probation report. According to the facts of the case, the offender set the 25-year-old woman on fire after an argument erupted over a pack of milk he assumed she obtained from another male.
Simpson then threw a flammable substance on his reputed wife and set her alight. She sustained burns about the body, including her right foot, back, neck and abdomen. She later succumbed to her injuries while receiving medical attention. She was the mother of four children.
