Trial of man accused of killing common-law wife continues

Two witnesses yesterday testified at the trial of 46-year-old mason Donald Coleman, of Guava Gap , St Andrew,  who is accused of murdering his common-law wife  Marsha Martin.

It is being alleged at the trial which began in the Home Circuit Court last week that Coleman murdered Martin in March 2004, after accusing her of being involved with another man.

The body was found buried in a shallow grave underneath the bed in the one-bedroom house in which the couple lived.

Forensic pathologist Kadiayla Prasaud testified of conducting a post mortem on the body and said the body was badly decomposed and death could have taken place about two weeks before the body was discovered.

Dr Prasaud said he was not able to say what was the cause of death because of the decomposition of the body.

Cross-examined by attorney-at-law Donald Bryan, Dr Prasaud said it was unlikely that Martin died of a heart attack.

Coleman told the police in a question and answer session in April 2008 that it was a man called Hussey who had murdered Martin.

He said the man had tied him up  and he heard digging taking place. 

Coleman said about three hours after Hussey released him.

He said he did not report the incident because Hussey had threatened to kill him and his children.

The questions and answers were read to the court by Corporal Suzette Williamson.

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