Lawyer hangs herself at home

Ashraph died approximately 7.10 am yesterday at the Intensive Care Unit at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.

An autopsy carried out by Dr Neville Jankie yesterday revealed that death was due to asphyxia as a result of hanging.

Police investigators told Newsday that based on investigations, Ashraph was manic depressive and had reportedly attempted suicide a number of times before.

Reports revealed that the lawyer’s friend, Shira Kong, visited her at the apartment at 7 pm on Sunday.

When Kong knocked on the door and was unable to get an answer, she became anxious and contacted a relative who managed to gain entry into the apartment.

Ashraph was found hanging from a rope in the ceiling of her bedroom.

She was cut down and rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where she was placed in the Intensive Care Unit.

Ashraph never regained consciousness and died early yesterday.

The matter was reported to the St Clair police yesterday.

Kong, a close friend of the lawyer, described her as a very giving person who was committed to her work and her close friends.

She was unwilling to say any more. Israel Khan, SC, described her death as shocking.

He said Ashraph was very affable, easy to get along with, and very intelligent.

Ashraph recently secured an acquittal for a woman charged with the murder of her baby in Diego Martin. The attorney was also supposed to appear with Khan in an upcoming murder trial.

Khan said the suicide had come as a shock to him as he never knew Ashraph to be suicidal.

Ashraph joined Khan’s chambers three-and-a-half years ago. She recently left Khan’s chambers to set up her own practice in San Fernando. Attorney Keith Scotland, who shared a close working friendship with Ashraph, said the incident has left him in a state of shock.

He said he received a judgment in the Monica Rochard murder trial just last week, in which Ashraph, instructed by Scotland, got a landmark decision in which the judge stated that the mental capacity of a person in custody, who gave a confession, had to be taken into consideration.

He ruled nervous shock as a principle that might apply to criminal law.

Scotland said that after the matter was completed, Ashraph was trying to get assistance for Rochard.

Her father, Aftab Ashraph, is also a lawyer and practices in San Fernando.

The attorney is expected to be cremated today after a funeral service at her mother’s home.

Acting Sgt Ajith Persad and PCs Lezama and Lamy of the St Clair Police Station are investigating.