Woman cuts mother-in-law during fight over child’s candlelight vigil

A St James woman reportedly attacked her mother-in-law with a knife during a fight over plans for her deceased child's candlelight vigil.

Jodian Munroe, of a Springfield address, has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and unlawful wounding. The court was told that, on January 26 at 4 p.m., Munroe and other relatives got into an argument over plans that had been made to hold a candlelight vigil in the area for her deceased child. The argument escalated into a brawl during which Munroe reportedly armed herself with a knife and attacked the complainant. It is further alleged that the complainant grabbed hold of the knife and sustained a cut on her hand. Munroe then knocked her to the ground where the complainant injured her wrist while she fell. The police were summoned and, under caution, reportedly said: "Di pickney just dead, me still a mourn, and di woman out fi send me go a jail." She was subsequently arrested and charged.

During Wednesday's proceedings in the St James Parish Court, Munroe told presiding parish judge Sasha Ashley that she is currently estranged from her mother-in-law, who was not present at court.

"Are you still speaking to your mother-in-law?" Ashley asked Munroe. "Not at the moment," Munroe replied.

"We need to get the complainant here to see how we will proceed," Ashley said.

The court was also told that the prosecution's case file was not yet complete, as the medical certificate was outstanding from it. The case was subsequently set for mention on May 20, when it is expected that the complainant will be present, and Munroe's bail was extended to that date.