ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Neither of Jael Thomas’ parents was in court yesterday when their daughter’s grandmother, Millicent Cornwall-Roberts, appeared before a magistrate to be arraigned on a murder charge.
They were unaware that the 68-year-old accused was due to go before a magistrate to be remanded to prison, at least until she can secure bail from the High Court.
They both declined to comment when contacted yesterday.
All Saints Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel set January 12, 2015 as the date for Cornwall-Roberts’ committal process, where the magistrate would review the evidence presented by police to determine whether there’s sufficient evidence to send the case to High Court for trial.
It is alleged that on Monday September 22, some time around midnight, Roberts severely beat and injured her granddaughter.
Hours after the 18 year old went to bed, a relative discovered she had died. Police believe the teen died as a result of injuries sustained from the beating.
A post mortem has not yet been done to determine the exact cause of death.