The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE wife of a man who was stabbed to death was charged with his murder in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Sharon Sturrup, of Faith Avenue, Heritage Subdivision, appeared in Court Two before Magistrate Carlton Smith.

The arraignment was delayed for almost an hour so that relatives of the accused could be present in the courtroom.

Sturrup, a teacher, is accused of killing her husband, Dwayne Sturrup, at their home in Heritage on Monday. She was not represented by counsel and was not required to enter a plea to the murder charge.

Magistrate Smith advised her that she would be remanded in custody and that the matter would be adjourned followed by a preliminary inquiry, or a Voluntary Bill of Indictment that would be issued to take the matter directly to the Supreme Court.

The magistrate asked Sturrup if she was on any medication or had been seen by a doctor, to which Sturrup replied: “Presently they have given me something for schizophrenia.”

Magistrate Smith asked whether she had been on medication prior to this week. “Were you seeing a doctor or taking any type of medication?” he asked.

Sturrup told the magistrate that she had previously seen a doctor and was prescribed medication and was later given a stronger dose.

“So you were diagnosed with schizophrenia or some other mental illness before?” the magistrate asked.

“Yes, so they say,” Sturrup replied.

The prosecutor informed the court that they would be proceeding with the matter by Voluntary Bill of Indictment on September 29.

Magistrate Smith told Sturrup that she would be remanded to Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre for evaluation until that date. He told her that she could apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

“What can I do in order not to go to Sandilands?” Sturrup asked. “I have to prepare my kids for school; I have no responsible person here to prepare them for school. I hopefully would find someone to maintain them while I go to Sandilands,” she said.

Magistrate Smith said that the children would be put under the care of the Department of Social Services.

“They are overwhelmed right now, I am trying to relieve them,” Sturrup replied.

Magistrate Smith said: “Social Services has a responsibility to check on her children.”