James “Dandy” Jackson, 39, an electrician residing at the corner of 3rd St. North and 6th Avenue in Corozal Town, accused of the murder of his common-law wife, Elena Estella Amador, 21, in 2010, was freed of the charge when a no-case submission was upheld in the Corozal Supreme Court yesterday.
Jackson was accused of stabbing Amador four times after she had left for the night and returned the following morning. Reportedly, an argument had ensued between the two and this was when the fatal stabbing occurred.
During the trial that had commenced two weeks ago, quite a few witnesses had testified, but due to insufficient evidence, the jury, instructed by the judge, Justice Denis Hanomansigh, returned a not guilty verdict.
Also, during the trial, the judge had objected to the acceptability of a caution statement, where reportedly, Jackson had admitted to committing the murder.
Jackson’s attorney, Ellis Arnold, made the no-case submission on the grounds that there is not enough evidence to convict Jackson for Amador’s murder.
On May 31, 2010 at around 3:05 a.m., Corozal police went to Jackson’s residence. When they arrived, they met Jackson outside his house, shirtless and in boxers.
According to police, Jackson then said, “I just stab up mi gial and kill a in de inside”, though reportedly, later while detained, Jackson told police that he stabbed Amador in self-defense.
When police entered the house, they said they saw Amador on the floor in the kitchen in pool of blood. According to police, Amador was motionless.
While still at the scene of the murder, police also said, Jackson also handed over a broken kitchen knife with what appeared to be blood stains.
Amador was taken to the Corozal Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival.
Our newspaper had reported that the estranged couple, according to reports, was grappling with a tumultuous common-law union in which both parties were allegedly jealous of each other.
An aunt of Amador’s had told Amandala that the family had never heard of Jackson being abusive in the couple’s three years of living together.
In addition, Amador had never complained of any verbal or physical abuse, and for this reason, they really believed that they were a happy couple.
Besides, the aunt had said, Jackson did not appear to be a violent man; neither did he appear to have any bad habits. He seemed, instead, to be a family man, she said.
The prosecution was represented by Crown Council Sherniza Smith.