Woman to stand trial for murder of infant son

Monica Rochard, mother of three, was yesterday committed to stand trial for the murder of her 14- month old son.

Rochard, 28, was charged with the murder of her son Jameel Rochard, who died in a fire at their home in Blue Basin, Diego Martin, on November 25, last year. She was charged following investigations by Sgt Anthony Lezama of the West End CID.  Lezama, who gave evidence yesterday, was the last of 11 witnesses called by the state. There were no closing submissions by either State Attorney Candia James or defence attorney Nadia Ashraph. Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls asked Rochard if she wished to call any witnesses. She indicated that she would be reserving her defence for the High Court. Mc Nicolls then told Rochard that he was satisfied that a prima facie case had been made against her and she would stand trial at the next sitting of the High Court. Ashraph informed Newsday that Rochard’s three remaining children were currently residing with their paternal grandmother.