Courts / Cavan / Report

Woman faked housemate's suicide out of "fear", jury to hear

Date
2018-02-06

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Kilnaleck

County
Cavan

Summary

A 34-year-old Latvian woman has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a person in connection with a death in Kilnaleck, Co Cavan, in June 2014. Egita Jaunmaize is accused of placing a cord around the neck of her housemate, Antra Ozolina, to simulate suicide and hinder investigation into the death. The prosecution alleges Ms Ozolina died from neck compression caused by another person. The defence has acknowledged that Ms Ozolina's death was not suicide and does not dispute that a named individual caused her death. The Crown's opening outlined how initial examination suggested suicide, but subsequent forensic examination by the Deputy State Pathologist revealed blunt force injuries and determined death resulted from neck compression. The trial, before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury, is expected to last two weeks.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman faked housemate's suicide out of "fear", jury to hear. Charges or matters: impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a man, knowing or believing him to have murdered Antra Ozolina (49) or committed some other arrestable offence at The Old Post, Main Street, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan on or about June 27 or June 28 2014. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 27 Incident
June 28 2014 Incident
June 28 Other
2018-02-06 Publication

Why: The prosecution allege that Ms Jaunmaize placed a blue cord around Ms Ozolina's neck so as to simulate her suicide in order to make it more difficult to establish that her death was suspicious. Prosecution account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Egita Jaunmaize

Accused

Charges: impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a man, knowing or believing him to have murdered Antra Ozolina (49) or committed some other arrestable offence at The Old Post, Main Street, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan on or about June 27 or June 28 2014 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty