In a significant ruling, the High Court has acquitted Lisa Halley, 28, of manslaughter charges stemming from the death of her husband, Dailson Halley.
The verdict was delivered by Justice Peter Hugh, who determined that there was insufficient evidence to support a conviction.
The case, which has drawn attention due to its implications for domestic violence victims, centred on the tragic events of July 29 2017, when Dailson was fatally stabbed at their Queens Street, Kitty residence.
Prosecuting attorney Mikel Puran faced off against Halley’s defence lawyer, Damien DaSilva, who argued convincingly for the case to be dismissed.
DaSilva contended that the prosecution’s evidence, when considered in its strongest light, was not adequate for a jury to convict.
He asserted that the court should dismiss the case without requiring the defence to present its case, highlighting the prosecution’s failure to definitively prove that Halley had unlawfully caused her husband’s death.
Crucially, the defence argued that there was a reasonable possibility that Halley had acted in self-defence, given the history of abuse in their relationship.
Witness testimony played a vital role in the trial, but the prosecution’s case largely hinged on the statements of a sole eyewitness and Halley’s caution statement made to police following the incident.
In his judgement, Justice Hugh concurred with the defence’s arguments and directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty.
Reports indicate that the Halley couple had a tumultuous relationship marked by Dailson’s alleged physical and psychological abuse. Friends and family of Lisa Halley had come forward, detailing a pattern of domestic violence that included Dailson forcing her into prostitution and taking her earnings.
On the fateful day in July 2017, an argument escalated into violence. It was reported that Dailson armed himself with a knife and threatened to kill Lisa.
In a desperate bid for survival, Halley managed to wrest the knife from her husband and fatally stabbed him.
Despite efforts to save him, Dailson succumbed to his injuries shortly after being taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
