‘I did not intend to murder Herbert Callender’ — murder accused

Shenika Melinda St Pierre told a High Court on Tuesday that she would take “full responsibility” for her actions but insisted that “at no point in time did I intentionally plan to kill Herbie” in relation to the death of Herbert Callender.

St Pierre, 41, of Garden Land, Country Road, St Michael, is on trial for the murder of Callender, 56, formerly of St Barnabas Heights, St Michael on March 28, 2022.

She described her relationship with Callender, which began in January 2022, as one marked by his dominance that escalated over time into control. She testified about incidents of physical abuse including slaps and punches, stating that Callender’s controlling behaviour extended to her social interactions and guests at her house.

St Pierre said she was drinking with Rochell and Kyle when an altercation with Callender occurred that night. She recounted that she went into the bedroom with Callender and when she was getting up to leave, he pulled her back, and then they began to fight.

“I ran for a knife and I cut at him. When he realised what I had in my hand, he had me pinned down on the bed and I kept saying ‘Let me go’. He called Kyle and took the knife from me and the fighting continued into the front house,” she said, while denying that Callender was pushing her off.

“I am very sorry about this and I am not asking you to send me home scotch free. I know the fight went too far and that is my fault. I was trying to protect myself and I lost control. I take full responsibility for my actions. I was scared and tired of being pushed around and being humiliated and being a victim, but at no point in time did I intentionally plan to kill Herbie but everything happened so fast,” St Pierre said tearfully.

The accused also said she lied to Callender’s mother and others about the incident because she was scared.

Earlier in the proceedings, her niece Tia St Pierre testified that she told police that she saw her aunt washing blood off a scissors and knife at the sink on March 28, 2022.

The court heard from clerk Sonja Blackman, who read the statement of the late Sergeant Adrian Padmore. He reported attending the scene at Garden Land, Country Road, noting blood stains on a vehicle and that St Pierre was sitting on the ground appearing disoriented, before she got up and started pacing. According to the statement, St Pierre told the lawman that two men had broken into the house and attacked her and Callender demanding drugs, but that she did not report it due to fear that the police would accuse her of killing Callender.

Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Krystal Delaney and Senior State Counsel Kevin Forde are prosecuting the matter, while attorney Sian Lange represents the accused woman.

Justice Pamela Beckles, who is presiding, adjourned the case until Friday when closing arguments will be heard by the 12-member jury.