A woman accused of murdering her lover's wife in November 2000 is suffering from spinal injury, having difficulty walking and is in need of medical attention.

The plight of 38-year-old cosmetologist Janet Douglas of Ziadie Gardens, St Andrew, who is in custody awaiting a retrial, was disclosed by her lawyer, Dr Randolph Williams, when Douglas appeared in court last week.

Williams said she was not getting the special medical care she needed for the spinal problem. He said the doctor had even recommended a crutch for her, but the prison authorities had not granted that request.

Senior Puisne Judge Marva McIntosh directed that the registrar of the Supreme Court write to the prison authorities for Douglas to get the medical attention she needs.

Douglas was convicted in May 2005 in the Home Circuit Court for the murder of a policeman's wife, 32-year-old dressmaker Isloyn McGill, of Cornpiece district, near Hayes, Clarendon.

The Crown had led evidence at the trial that jealousy was the motive for the murder because Douglas had had a love affair with police Sergeant Glen McGill, Isolyn's husband.

The body, bearing stab wounds, was found in bushes at Hillyfield district in Clarendon on November 24, 2000.

Conviction overturned

Douglas was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. She was ordered to serve 25 years before parole.

She appealed the conviction and sentence and, in March, the Court of Appeal ordered a new trial because of protracted dialogue between the trial judge and the prosecutor about the evidence. The dialogue took place in the presence of the jury and the court said that should not have happened.

The court also referred to comments made by the judge on the failure of the applicant, Douglas, to respond to certain questions posed by the police. It was the court's ruling that those aspects of the case had a negative impact on the fairness of the trial.

She was represented on appeal by Williams.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com