Accused ex-GDF private denied being present during murder of ex’s mother

-cop testifies

Abiola Jacobs
Abiola Jacobs

According to statements she gave to the police, former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Private Abiola Jacobs, who is on trial for the murder of the mother of her ex-boy-friend, claimed that she was not around at the time of the woman’s death.

Jacobs’ trial yesterday also heard that although she was confronted by a witness, who reported seeing her at the Lot 16-17 Agricola Public Road residence, East Bank Demerara on the night of the murder, she maintained that it was not her.

Jacobs is on trial before Justice James Bovell-Drakes and a 12-member mixed jury at the High Court in Georgetown for the murder of Donna Taylor, whom she allegedly killed on January 31, 2014 at Agricola.

Donna Taylor

Testifying yesterday was Detective Superintendent of Police Joel David, who recalled a confrontation being held between Jacobs and Samantha Sabbat, who at the time was a guest at Taylor’s Agricola residence.

David told the court that the day after the murder, he along with another rank, contacted the accused, who at that time was in custody.

He said the allegation was put to the woman, who elected to respond without an attorney present.

According to David, the young woman then related a story about leaving the army base at Timehri about 3pm on the day of the murder and visiting Taylor’s home, where she reportedly met and spoke with her.

Jacobs, the court heard from David, claimed she left Taylor’s residence and went to her own home about 6pm and she said she remained there with her son and mother until receiving a call later that night from a friend, who informed her that something had happened at the Taylors.

David said the accused claimed that, in the company of her mother, she left home and went to Taylor’s house, where she learnt that the woman had been murdered.

According to the Detective, as a result of a statement given to police by Sabbat, a confrontation was held between her and Jacobs.

Samantha Sabbat

He said Sabbat recalled being in her room when she heard noises and a subsequent banging on her bedroom door, followed by a male voice shouting “open.”

The court heard from David of Sabbat relating that it was at that point that she saw Jacobs peeping through the lattice-work of the building.

Sabbat, David said, then jumped over the verandah in a bid to escape.

After the house guest had completed relating her story, David said the accused replied, “Girl, you ain’t see me.”

Asked by Prosecutor Mandel Moore whether the accused ever related to him that she was at her grandmother at the time of the killing, David answered in the negative.

His answer was the same when asked if he was told by Jacobs that she was ill.

Also testifying was Corporal Melanie Hale, who recalled arresting the accused at Taylor’s home.

The witness said that when she arrived to effect the arrest in the company of other ranks, only Jacobs was found at the woman’s house.

On Monday, crime scene photographer Detective Lance Corporal Desmond Johnny produced to the court three suspected blood-stained window curtains, which he said were retrieved from the scene.

The items were admitted as exhibits.

The state’s case is being presented by Moore, in association with Prosecutor Lisa Cave, while Jacobs is being represented by attorney Adrian Thompson.

The trial continues today.