The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

THE sentencing of a woman, convicted of manslaughter in her boyfriend’s death, has been delayed because her lawyer has request an independent psychiatric evaluation be performed.

Halicia Smith appeared before Justice Indra Charles yesterday when it was expected that she would be sentenced in connection with the May 3, 2012 fatal stabbing of Aldean Gibson Jr.

However, defence lawyer Tonique Lewis asked the court for an adjournment on the basis of the defence’s request for a psychiatric report to be produced by the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre on the day Smith was convicted by a jury.

During the trial, Smith had testified that she had a confrontation with Gibson Jr before he was killed and that throughout their relationship she was a victim of domestic abuse. She also claimed that she was afraid for her safety and that of her daughter when she hit out at Gibson.

Justice Charles informed Lewis that she understood that the department is strained and asked if Smith was prepared to have her own report produced.

Ms Lewis said the defence was going to make the same suggestion and would incur the expense of producing the report. She said the

defence did not have a name of the psychologist they would seek to do the evaluation, but could produce a letter in a week.

The matter was adjourned to October 29.