The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

AN American woman recently acquitted of her Bahamian husband’s murder filed a civil action against the government for the harm she claimed to have suffered as a result of her imprisonment and prosecution.

Jessie Williams, a 45-year-old Nassau Village resident who was unanimously acquitted her of the July 31, 2010 murder of Sylvanus Williams, is suing the Attorney General, Commissioner of Police, Superintendent of Prisons and the Immigration Department for her treatment while under arrest.

Ms Williams is claiming damages from the defendants for false imprisonment, slander, defamation of character, and alienation from her two children who are minors.

She is also claiming damages for inhumane and degrading treatment, contrary to Article 17 in Chapter 1 of the Constitution; and violation of Article 19 in that chapter concerning arbitrary arrest and detention.

She further claims her right to an attorney was violated and that the defendants were negligent.

Mr Williams died in a vacant parking lot between the Green Parrot Bar and the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA) headquarters on East Bay Street.

At the opening of the trial, the court heard that the victim arrived at about 9pm to report for his shift as a security guard at the US-based firm American Bridge, but was stabbed by a woman following an argument. He died at the scene.

During the trial, two witnesses, her godchild, and a woman in the parking lot who watched the ordeal unfold, testified that Mrs Williams escaped the deceased’s choke hold on her, got out of the Chevy Blazer jeep, and stabbed him.
Mrs Williams took the stand after the prosecution closed its case and said when she stabbed her husband, she was only trying to stop him from choking her.

She said she did not kill him for the many years of abuse that she had suffered at his hands.

Mrs Williams said she did not want to be abused again by her husband, but that wish was not the reason for his death.

The jury returned with a 12-0 not guilty verdict.