Ossie Rodgers says he was provoked, claims video doctored
-police say probe remains open
New York-based media personality, Ossie Rodgers, who was captured on CCTV assaulting a Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice woman on October 9th , says he was provoked and that he was never detained by police as it relates to the report filed by the complainant.
However, Commander of Region Five, Lonsdale Withrite yesterday refuted Rodgers’ claims and insisted that he was detained by the police after which he was released on his own recognisance.
Rodgers on his social media platform yesterday issued a statement where he claimed that the video footage of the alleged assault released to the public was “doctored.”
He said, “These postings are being peddled by many individuals from the opposition and some negative minded individuals here in New York and in our homeland to deliberately attack and tarnish my character and reputation.”
Confirming that there was “an incident that took place in Guyana on October 9, 2022.” Rodgers said, “I was provoked and reacted in a manner that was not appropriate. I was called the most disgusting racial slurs and struck repeatedly from behind which I had to react to defend myself from physical harm.”
He further noted, “I deeply regret this incident but I was hurt that in this day and age that someone would call a person… (racist names).”
He added, “For the record I was never arrested or detained by the GPF. I was never charged by the GPF. I was free to leave Guyana and return home to the USA with no restrictions. There is no open case against me in the courts in Guyana.”
Commander Withrite when contacted yesterday by Stabroek News stated otherwise, while noting that the matter remains open at this time. He said, they were unable to get a statement from Rodgers as he left the country following the incident.
However, he contended that the investigation remains “open” and active.
Meanwhile, Rodgers in his statement yesterday also lashed out at “certain political activists in Guyana and the USA” claiming that they have “gone on a witch hunt to twist the facts and have forced some of the individuals involved in the incident to lie and change their statements that were made to the GPF.”
He claimed that the video of the incident which is being circulated “was heavily doctored and altered”. He said “I am a strong supporter of women rights, I do not condone nor do I support violence against women or anyone else in our society. I (always) stand firmly against any form (of) racial hostility, racial discrimination and race-based violence. No one should ever be exposed to the level of racism and violence I faced on that night.”
Rodgers in his statement further said, “This matter is a closed case and I have nothing further to say at this point. I strongly encourage the owners of the CCTV video recording to release the tape in its entirety for the public to see and make their own judgement.”
The woman who Rodgers is accused of assaulting, Kamala Devi Bharrat, 31, of Bath Settlement, had told Stabroek News, that she was at work at the supermarket located in Bath Settlement and operated by Chinese nationals, when Rodgers who was a customer entered. She said he was opening the fridge to take out some beers to purchase when she asked him to be careful how he opened the door of the
fridge which has an issue.
“I tell he my boss lady ain’t like when people open it like that and then by time that (happened) my boss lady called on him and tell him she ain’t want nobody open the door like that and he didn’t listen and turn around and then she had a stick in her hand and she tap it on his shoulder and told him and he and she start argue and he said how he ain’t leaving the supermarket how he is a big bai and he will call the police”, Bharrat said.
According to her, Rodgers purchased the beers and proceeded outside where he was hanging out with some friends while
imbibing.
She said about one hour later she ventured outside to collect a mop and bucket to begin mopping the supermarket as they were preparing to close when Rodgers started to insult her.
“He say how that’s the work me got to do for the rest of my life, me got to wipe them Chiney people floor and me can’t do nothing more and me tell him that the incident you and boss lady had na done? That just leave it and done”, she said.
She said he then made a statement that annoyed her which prompted her to verbally respond to him and his friends who were also chiming in at this time.
“After me argue back with he, he said how he get one mind slap me and me just walk away and go in the supermarket and he start cuss and follow me and say how he gone slap me and when he come in the supermarket me continue argue with him and he rush over and slap me and me pick up one slippers and pelt him in his face”, she said. She said that she was then knocked in her head with an object.
She was taken to the Fort Wellington Police Station where she said she was treated as though she was the accused. “The police keep asking him if he’s okay and he tell them yes and he leave… And them asking me if I sure me want a problem and if me want court story and so and if me sure.”
When contacted yesterday Bharrat said she felt frustrated at the entire situation. “I glad if somebody look into this but you think anything will come of it? I have nothing more to say. It’s unfair what happen to me and I got to deh running all over and nobody ain’t looking into it”, she stated.
Bharrat, a single parent, has not worked since the incident and noted that she is experiencing some pain in her head. “I using my medication and relaxing now and then I will go do a head scan”, she said.