In a verdict handed down by Justice Leighton Pusey in the Home Circuit Division of the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston on Friday morning, quality analyst Rushelle Foster has been sentenced to six years and six months in prison for the fatal stabbing of national women’s footballer, Tarania “Plum Plum” Clarke, in 2019.
Foster, who had been found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter by a seven-member jury, faced the consequences of her actions in the courtroom.
Clarke, a rising star in the sporting arena, tragically lost her life during a reported dispute over a cellular phone on October 31, 2019, at Limelight Plaza in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew.
During the trial, the sole eyewitness recounted the events of that fateful evening, describing an argument between the Reggae Girl and Foster over phone calls. Foster accused Clarke of deliberately ignoring her calls, prompting a response from Clarke about phone malfunctions. The altercation escalated, leading to Foster brandishing a knife and fatally stabbing the footballer.
Foster had asserted self-defense, claiming that Tarania Clarke was enraged over the termination of their seven-month relationship. However, the court found her guilty of manslaughter in the tragic incident that resulted in Clarke’s untimely death.
Clarke scored for Jamaica on debut when Jamaica drubbed Cuba 12-1 at the National Stadium in Kingston on September 30, 2019. The 20-year-old midfielder was also captain of the Waterhouse FC in Jamaica’s Women’s League.
At the time of her death, Clarke was a recent graduate of Excelsior High School where she was also captain of the football team.
Read more: Jamaican Football Community Mourns Death of Slain Reggae Girl
