Thirty-two-year-old Aquiella Abrams has been acquitted of manslaughter in the death of her reputed husband, Michael Wilson, after the High Court accepted that she acted in self-defence.

The ruling, delivered recently at the Demerara High Court by Justice Priscilla Chandra-Hanif, brought an end to a nearly three-year legal battle. The judge upheld a no-case submission made by Abrams’ Attorneys, Yuborn Allicock and Shauntelle Wright, instructing the jury to return a formal not-guilty verdict.

Abrams was initially charged with murder in October 2022 following Wilson’s death and was remanded to prison after appearing before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore. In March 2023, the charge was reduced to manslaughter, and she was granted $500,000 bail. According to the prosecution, Abrams fatally stabbed Wilson, 40, on October 10, 2022, at their Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD), residence. Wilson sustained two stab wounds to the abdomen and later died while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

During the trial, the court heard that the couple’s relationship was marred by frequent quarrels, allegations of infidelity, and incidents of domestic violence. Police reports documented that Abrams had often been identified as the victim of abuse.

On the day of the incident, Abrams reportedly informed Wilson of her decision to end the relationship and began preparing to move out. Investigators said a heated argument ensued, during which Wilson armed himself with a knife and wounded Abrams on her forearm. In the struggle that followed, Abrams wrestled the weapon away and stabbed him twice. Her defence argued that the evidence corroborated Abrams’ account of acting in self-defence and that the State had failed to prove otherwise. Justice Chandra-Hanif agreed, ruling that the prosecution had not established beyond a reasonable doubt that Abrams acted unlawfully.

With the directed acquittal, Abrams was cleared of all charges, and the case was formally dismissed.