High Court trial ordered for Businessman accused in partner’s killing

DECEMBER 30 2025

The preliminary inquiry into the killing of 27-year-old Kenesha Vaughn ended on Tuesday with Magistrate Dylon Bess committing her reputed husband, Marlon Da Silva, to stand trial for murder at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Criminal Assizes.

Da Silva, 33, appeared before the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrate’s Courts, where the magistrate ruled that the prosecution had established a sufficient evidential basis for the matter to proceed to the High Court.

He will now face a jury and judge in Demerara on the capital offence of murder.

Throughout the committal proceedings, Da Silva maintained that he acted in self-defence, a position advanced by his legal team during the preliminary inquiry.

The charge stems from a fatal incident on February 22, 2025, at the couple’s Diamond, East Bank Demerara residence.

Vaughn was shot multiple times and later pronounced dead while receiving medical treatment at the Diamond Regional Hospital. Medical findings revealed that she sustained 12 gunshot wounds.

During earlier hearings, the defence advanced a no-case submission, contending that the prosecution had failed to present sufficient evidence to justify committing Da Silva to stand trial.

Magistrate Bess rejected that submission, ruling that the evidence met the required threshold.

He subsequently called on Da Silva to lead a defence.

Da Silva elected to give an unsworn statement, telling the court that he feared for his life at the time of the incident and acted in what he believed was self-defence.

On that basis, his attorneys urged the court to consider a reduction of the charge to manslaughter.

In addressing the court on Tuesday, Magistrate Bess concluded that a prima facie case had been made out for murder, warranting Da Silva’s trial before the High Court.

According to reports, Da Silva returned home on the day of the incident and encountered Vaughn in the kitchen, where a heated argument reportedly erupted.

The confrontation escalated into a physical altercation, during which Da Silva allegedly slapped the woman.

It is further alleged that Vaughn armed herself with a knife and approached Da Silva, at which point he removed a licensed firearm from his waistband and discharged several rounds in her direction.

Vaughn was struck multiple times, collapsed, and became motionless.

After the shooting, Da Silva reportedly contacted the police. Ranks responded to the scene and transported Vaughn to the Diamond Regional Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The accused and the deceased share a child.

Da Silva is represented by attorneys Glenn Hanoman, Sanjeev Datadin, and Everton Singh-Lammy.

The prosecution is being led by attorneys Kiswana Jefford and Nigel Hughes, who are appearing on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions.