UWI student charged with murder in Jamaica

(Jamaica Observer) A University of the West Indies student who allegedly used a screwdriver to stab the mother of his child to death was on Friday offered $200,000 bail when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court.

The accused, Nesseine Mardners, 20, of Bedward Gardens, August Town, Kingston 7, allegedly murdered his girlfriend, Kemesha Matthews, a 24-year-old entertainer, during a dispute over the welfare of their six-week-old baby.

She was stabbed in the head.

Mardners is also accused of assaulting the complainant’s mother following the incident which occurred at her home on December 1, about 1.20 am.

Police reported that the accused, who went to visit the complainant, was inside her room when the argument developed. It is reported that Mardners then pulled a screwdriver from his pocket and inflicted wounds to Matthews’ head, after she threatened to have him killed by her friends and family if he did not support their child.

The mother, who was reportedly alarmed by screams from her daughter, rushed to her rescue but found her lifeless body lying on the bed.

She then reportedly confronted the accused who allegedly attempted to choke her.

The mother raised an alarm and she was assisted by her neighbours in accosting the accused who was taken into custody by the police.

On Friday, Mardners was granted bail by Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey on condition that he surrender his travel documents.

Mardners, who is represented by Oswest Senior Smith, is to return to court on February 9.