The sentencing hearing for dental assistant Kayodi Satchell, who admitted to slashing eight-year-old Danielle Rowe's throat last year June, this afternoon heard that the child was murdered after the killer reportedly contracted HIV from the child's father.

Satchell's lawyer Pierre Rogers, in making the revelation, said his client never planned on killing the child but did so out of frustration after her attempts to have the father prosecuted fell on deaf ears.

However, the sentencing, which was slated for today, was postponed for the judge to rule on December 20.

Meanwhile, the 32-year-old child killer who last month pleaded guilty to murder and child stealing broke down in tears and was seen sobbing as she was led from the courtroom.

She was also observed whispering an apology to Rowe's mother and sister from the dock.

Earlier, Rowe's mother and sister wept openly in court and were observed consoling each other.

The clerk, while reading the very moving victim impact report, also had to pause and was seen removing his glasses and wiping his eyes. Two probation officers were also observed with tears flowing from their eyes

The second grade student of Braeton Primary and Infant School in St Catherine was abducted on June 8 last year from her school.

The child was seen later that day with her throat slashed on Roosevelt Avenue in St Andrew.

She was rushed by persons in the area to the Bustamante Hospital for Children, where she died two days later.

The post-mortem report revealed the child died from an incised wound to the neck.

Investigations by the police led to Satchell being arrested on August 11 last year.

She was subsequently charged with murder.

Attorney-at-law Pierre Rogers and Donnovan Collins are representing Satchell.

- Tanesha Mundle

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