Woman accused of simulating housemate's suicide was "acting strangely", trial told

A 34-year-old Latvian woman has pleaded not guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a man in connection with a death in Co Cavan. The trial at the Central Criminal Court heard that Egita Jaunmaize is accused of placing a blue cord around the neck of Antra Ozolina (49) to simulate suicide at The Old Post, Main Street, Kilnaleck on or about June 27 or 28, 2014. A witness testified that Ms Jaunmaize and a man returned to his house at 8am on June 28, behaving strangely and claiming Ms Ozolina had hanged herself. The witness said they asked him not to contact gardaí and left the room repeatedly to speak privately. Defence counsel acknowledged that Ms Jaunmaize accepts Ms Ozolina's death was not suicide and does not dispute that another person caused her death. The trial before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy continues with a jury of seven men and five women.