Female accused was battered
A POLICE Corporal who charged Point Fortin housewife Cecelia Bedeau with killing her husband and burying him behind their Point Fortin home, yesterday told a judge and jury that the accused was a victim of domestic violence. Cpl Cuthbert Straker told Justice Anthony Carmona and a 12-member jury that his investigation into the murder of Bernard Bedeau revealed Cecelia, 41, was a victim of domestic violence and she had been battered. The burnt body of Bedeau, a 41-year-old plumber, was found in a shallow grave behind his house at Warden Road on November 15, 2002. Bedeau’s two brothers found the body in a three-foot grave. A fig tree was planted on top of the grave. Under cross-examination by attorney Mewhalal Chatoor yesterday, Straker admitted that he was told by three persons that the accused was a battered woman. The State witness told the court he found the three persons to be reliable sources. Under further cross-examination from Chatoor, Straker said no reports in the Point Fortin Police Station were made by the accused about being physically abused. Straker admitted, however, that reports of domestic violence were sometimes made, but not noted in the station diary. State attorney Angelica Teelucksingh closed the prosecution’s case after Straker ended his testimony. The trial continues today.
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"Female accused was battered"