Daughter to stand trial for killing mother

Veta Layne was yesterday committed by Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls to stand trial for the murder of her 93-year-old mother. Layne, 59, was charged with the December 2, 2002, murder of Doris Layne at Brunton Road, St James. She was also charged with unlawfully and maliciously setting fire to the dwelling house of Simone, Brisanne and Adrian Webb. The charges were laid by Sgt Nandram Moonilal of the St James CID. On the morning of December 2, 2002, fire officers reportedly went to the Layne family home and found the house afire. Doris Layne was found in a bedroom on the south-western part of the building. She had left her bedroom in a bid to escape the blaze but got trapped in the room shared by her son and his family. A post-mortem report stated that Layne, who was burnt beyond recognition, died from smoke inhalation. The other members of the household, including Doris Layne’s son John, managed to escape the fire unharmed.

Moonilal gave evidence yesterday under the direction of State attorney George Busby. The sargeant was the last of 13 witnesses to give evidence in the matter. There were no closing submissions by either the State or defence. Mc Nicolls then cautioned the accused, gave her notice of alibi and asked if she wished to call any witnesses to give evidence on her behalf. With the assistance of attorney Richard Mason, Layne indicated that she wished to give particulars of her alibi to the Director of Public Prosecutions within the given 10-day period. Magistrate Mc Nicolls then informed Layne that he was satisfied that a prima facie case had been made against her and that she would stand trial at the next sitting of the High Court.