Woman killer appeals conviction

Pierre, who had been charged with the November 11, 1999 murder of her employer Estelle Maharaj, pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter on November 2004 and was sentenced to life in prison, not to be released before the expiration of 25 years.

Maharaj, owner of Dharrie’s Hardware, which was located at the corner of Henry Street and Independence Square, Port-of-Spain, was found lying in a pool of blood in her laundry room at her St Clair home. She had been severely beaten about the head and had been burnt on the right foot.

Giving evidence before Justices of Appeal Roger Hamel-Smith, Margot Warner and Stanley John, the 35-year-old woman said when she was taken to remand yard following her conviction and sentencing, she indicated to the prisons officer she intended to appeal her “case”.

She said the document was filled out by the officer and given to her to be signed. She admitted she saw the words “severity of sentence” but since she didn’t know anything about “conviction and sentence,” she signed and returned it to the officer.

Pierre said it was only when she spoke with an attorney in March, 2005 that she realised the document she had signed was for an appeal of her sentence.

She denied suggestions by attorney for the State Bindra Dolsingh that her real complaint was the severity of her sentence.