Accused hot oil killer granted bail

Awoman who allegedly killed her common-law partner by dousing him with hot oil was yesterday offered bail. Melissa Sinclair, 32, has been in custody since the May 14 this year when Orville Pitter was killed inside the St Andrew home they shared.

The relationship produced two children. Sinclair was granted bail in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court in the sum of $500,000 and ordered to surrender her travel documents. A judge also directed that a stop order be placed on her at the ports.

It is alleged that Pitter was doused with hot oil after he and Sinclair got into a dispute while she was preparing a meal.

Sinclair’s attorney Kemar Robinson, in his application for bail, told the court that for a decade, his client suffered continuous physical abuse from Pitter.

He said on the day of the incident, Sinclair was attacked by Pitter and threw the hot oil on him as she tried to defend herself. According to the attorney, Sinclair ran from the house and went to the Matilda’s Corner Police Station where a report was made.

She is to return to court on June 28.