Court to determine mom’s fitness to plead in case over child’s death
Published:Tuesday | October 1, 2024 | 12:09 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
The St James woman facing a murder charge in relation to the death of her infant daughter is to have a hearing to determine if she is fit to stand trial in the St James Circuit Court on November 5.
Shamoya Green, who is accused of throwing the child from a rooftop to her death last December, was given the date on Monday.
St James Parish Court Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton set the date during a committal hearing for the transferral of Green’s case to the Circuit Court.
Green, who is facing health challenges and is at location in Kingston, was not transported to Montego Bay for the hearing and appeared via video link.
“November 5 this year is the new date as, because of her condition, we wanted to get an earlier date for her,” Fairclough-Hylton said, referencing an earlier discussion with Green’s lawyer, Jillian Haughton, for the matter to be heard in the Circuit Court on January 14, 2025.
Addressing whether Green, who reportedly suffers from seizures and mental issues, will have to attend court in person on November 5, Fairclough-Hylton said that is a decision for the presiding Circuit Court judge.
Green briefly spoke with the judge in an almost childlike tone, but sounding more stable compared to past court appearances, where she had appeared disoriented.
“Good morning, Ms Green. How are you doing? Are you feeling better today?” Fairclough-Hylton asked.
“Mi a gwaan. Mi a come on, mi a come on,” replied Green.
The postmortem report and several statements were admitted into evidence during Monday’s hearing.
The allegations against Green are that on December 6, 2023, about 5:35 p.m., she was at home with her common-law husband and other family members when she tried to have a conversation with him about their relationship. However, he refused to engage her.
Green reportedly became enraged and left the room, taking baby Destiny to the roof of the third floor of the family’s house and throwing her on to the concrete pit in the yard. The police were alerted and Destiny was taken to the hospital, where she died while being treated.