Self-Defence Verdict Frees Golden Grove Woman in Husband’s Death Case
September 9 2025
A jury has formally acquitted 32-year-old Aquiella Abrams of manslaughter in relation to the death of her reputed husband, Michael Wilson, after the court ruled that the prosecution failed to disprove her claim of self-defence.
The ruling was handed down recently following a no-case submission made by Abrams’ defence attorneys, Yuborn Allicock and Shauntelle Wright.
They argued that the State had not presented sufficient evidence to sustain the charge.
Dead: Michael Wilson
Agreeing with their submission, Justice Priscilla Chandra-Hanif of the Demerara High Court directed the jury to return a not-guilty verdict, bringing the case to an end.
Abrams, was initially charged in October 2022 for Wilson’s death. She had been remanded after appearing before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore on the capital offence charge.
In March 2023, the charge against Abrams was reduced to manslaughter, and she was released on $500,000 bail.
According to the prosecution’s case, Abrams fatally stabbed Wilson, 40, at their Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD), home on October 10, 2022. Reports indicated that Wilson sustained two stab wounds to the abdomen.
Investigations revealed that the couple shared a turbulent relationship marked by frequent arguments and allegations of infidelity.
Police records noted that these quarrels often escalated into verbal and physical abuse, with Abrams being the victim on several occasions.
On the day of the incident, Abrams was reportedly preparing to leave the shared home after telling Wilson she intended to end the relationship.
During an ensuing argument, Police said Wilson armed himself with a knife and assaulted Abrams, causing injuries to her forearm.
In the struggle that followed, Abrams managed to disarm him and, in the heat of the confrontation, stabbed him twice.
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) rushed Wilson to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed while receiving treatment.
The trial ended with the court finding that the prosecution had not met the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that Abrams’ actions were unlawful, leading to her acquittal.
