Woman Found Guilty of Manslaughter in Husband’s Stabbing

Thirty-year-old Shantell Williams is spending her first night in jail after being found guilty of manslaughter in the stabbing death of her common-law husband, Louis Adolphus, 39. The incident happened at their home on Curassow Street in Belize City. Adolphus was stabbed once in the neck, causing him to bleed out. Despite getting help, he died from his injuries.

The doctor confirmed he died from blood loss due to the stab wound. The fatal argument started over an umbrella Williams found at home, which led to a confrontation and then the stabbing. Williams initially told police she acted in self-defence after Adolphus hit her with the umbrella and grabbed a knife. She claimed she stabbed him to protect herself. Late last night, Justice Derick Sylvester found Williams guilty of manslaughter, stating that her use of force was unjustified.

The court was convinced by the evidence presented by the Crown. During the trial, Williams testified that she acted in self-defence. The argument began in the early hours of August 2, 2022, when Williams confronted Adolphus about an umbrella sent by a woman she believed was his side chick.

This led to a heated exchange about Adolphus’s past relationship with the woman. The last person to hear from Adolphus before his death was his brother, Emmerson Dominguez. Dominguez testified that Adolphus called him, sounding frightened, and said Williams had attacked him with a knife. Dominguez advised his brother to call the police. While on the phone, Dominguez heard Williams say, “I nuh know why yuh call him because he cannot help yuh.” When the police first spoke with Williams, she had visible swelling and abrasions on her lips and fingers.