Spiritualist Patricia Alves, who was previously convicted for killing a woman, was on Tuesday charged with the attempted murder of an elderly woman, whom she allegedly beat as part of a “spiritual cleansing” exercise.
Alves, 55, was refused bail when she appeared in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.
Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus read the charge, which states that Alves attempted to murder 75-years-old Jean Joyce Dean. It is alleged that on June 17th, at Smithfield, New Amsterdam, Alves unlawfully and maliciously wounded Dean.
Alves was not required to plead to the indictable charge.
Police prosecutor Corporal Desiree Pilgrim stated that a report was made to the police after Dean’s son had visited his mother’s residence and observed marks of violence about her body. Pilgrim added that the son took his mother to the Fort Wellington Hospital and she received the necessary medical attention.
Alves and Dean reside in the same house but occupy different flats.
However, the court heard that the two women became friends and Alves told Dean she needed spiritual healing after becoming ill. Alves, who volunteered her service, told Dean that she needed to give her money, in order to prevent the evil spirits from returning.
During this period Dean did as she was instructed but was allegedly beaten about her body while being told it was part of the process she had to go through to for her spiritual cleansing.
The two women have been residing in the Smithfield home for approximately one year.
Alves was remanded to prison until July 20th, when her next hearing is scheduled.
Alves had served a 10-year sentence for manslaughter after she was found guilty of killing Parbattie Seenauth in 2002.
