Donna Vasyli at an earlier court appearance.
By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
THE wife of murdered Australian podiatrist Phillip Vasyli blew kisses at relatives seated in court yesterday as she was led away by police following her arraignment for his killing.
Donna Vasyli, who is also an Australian, appeared in Magistrates Court to stand before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt on a charge of murder concerning the fatal stabbing of Mr Vasyli at their home in the exclusive gated community of Old Fort Bay.
On Tuesday of last week, Mr Vasyli, 59, was found lifeless in the dining room of his luxury home with multiple stab wounds. He was the owner of four podiatry clinics – three in Sydney, Australia and one at the Old Fort Bay Medical Centre in New Providence.
Prior to the start of yesterday’s arraignment, the 54-year-old accused turned to female relatives and supporters, assuring them that “I’ll be out.”
When the matter was called on, newly appointed Queens Counsel Elliot Lockhart informed the chief magistrate that he and lawyer Murrio Ducille were appearing for the accused.
Mrs Vasyli was charged with murder under Section 291 (1b) of the Penal Code, Chapter 84, which does not attract the discretionary death penalty if a Supreme Court jury finds her guilty at trial.
“It is claimed that you, on Tuesday, February 24, at New Providence, by means of unlawful harm, did intentionally cause the death of Phillip Vasyli. You are not required to enter a plea in this matter,” the chief magistrate told the accused.
Police prosecutor ASP Clifford Daxon informed the judge that the matter would be reviewed by the Attorney General’s Office and said the prosecution would then present a voluntary bill of indictment.
The accused was then informed of her scheduled reappearance in Magistrates Court on May 20 for the case to be fast-tracked to the Supreme Court.
“Until that time, ma’am, I’ll have to remand you at Her Majesty’s Prison (now the Department of Correctional Services),” the chief magistrate noted.
The judge added: “You have the right, notwithstanding that I have denied you bail, to apply to the Supreme Court.”
The accused was handcuffed by a female police officer and led away from the courtroom. She turned and blew kisses at her relatives who left the courtroom shortly afterwards.
News of Vasyli’s death spread quickly around the world and has since generated media attention in his home country.
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