Egita Jaunmaize pleads not guilty to impeding prosecution

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Egita Jaunmaize pleaded not guilty before the Central Criminal Court to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a man. The proceedings were reported on 6 February 2018.

The charge related to Antra Ozolina’s death at The Old Post, Main Street, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan, on or about 27 or 28 June 2014. Jaunmaize was accused of acting while knowing or believing the man had murdered Ozolina or committed another arrestable offence. The prosecution alleged that she placed a blue cord around Ozolina’s neck to make her death appear to be suicide.

Opening the prosecution case, Patrick Gageby SC said Jaunmaize had admitted placing the rope but was fearful for herself and her life. He said the issue for the trial was whether she had a reasonable excuse. He also said Jaunmaize ultimately told gardaí that the man had choked Ozolina and requested that she put the rope around her neck.

The trial was continuing before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury and was expected to last two weeks.