Committal hearing for woman accused of throwing baby off building set for Sept 26
ST JAMES, Jamaica — Shamoya Green, the St James woman accused of throwing her five-month-old daughter off the roof of a three-storey building last December is to face a committal hearing online on September 26.
When the matter was mentioned in the St James Parish Court before presiding Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton on Wednesday, the court was told that Green, who is currently being held at the South Camp Adult Correctional Centre in St Andrew, was not transported to St James for her court appearance.
Fairclough-Hylton said that based on her condition, it would not be wise for the police to transport her to St James.
According to a medical report for Green dated June 21, 2024, she is unable to understand the nature of the charge, the court procedures, the meaning of guilty and not guilty, and unable to testify and challenge the witness and jurors.
“Apart from her mental condition, she has other medical conditions which is preventing them [police] from travelling with her,” the judge added.
Citing a recently updated medical dated July 22, the judge noted that the defendant suffers from a seizure disorder that has resulted in psychosis, and that her mental health has not improved. The judge also stated that due to her seizure disorder, transportation to St James may be difficult, and that the hearing will be held online.
If a prima facie case is established, the matter will be sent to the Circuit Court for the fitness to plead hearing to be dealt with there.
Allegations are that on December 6, 2023 about 5:35 pm, Green was at home with her common-law husband and other family members when she asked to have a conversation with her partner about their relationship. However, the man reportedly deferred the talks for later that evening.
Green allegedly became enraged and left the room, taking her five-month-old daughter Destiny with her. She reportedly took Destiny to the roof on the third floor of the building and threw the child onto the concrete pit in the yard.
The police were alerted and Destiny was taken to the hospital, where she died while being treated.