Gold miner denies killing wife; co-accused pleads guilty to manslaughter

Gold miner Clevaughn Hamilton called ‘Quarters’ on Thursday denied his involvement in murder of the mother of his child, Simone Hackett, whose lifeless body was found in a canal at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara in 2016.

However, his co-accused, Ranachal Singh called ‘Andy’ confessed to the gruesome crime.

Both men appeared before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court for the capital offence of murder.

They denied the capital offence which read that between April 16 and 19, 2016 at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, they killed Hackett of ‘C’ Field Sophia.

Singh, who was represented by attorney Latchmie Rahamat opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Justice Kissoon deferred Singh’s sentencing to September 26, pending the presentation of a probation and other social impact reports.

Meanwhile, a 12-member jury was empanelled for Hamilton’s trial which will commence next Monday.

He is represented by attorney Alaira Murphy-Goodman while the state is represented by prosecutor Muntaz Ali.

The mother of one was reported missing by relatives on April 17, 2016 after she had not returned the previous night from going to collect a package allegedly sent from Mahdia by Hamilton.

The report of the post-mortem performed on Hackett indicated that she died as a result of incised wounds to the neck.

Her body was discovered by two schoolboys on their way to school and was positively identified by relatives