Mediation works for stabbing case

MONTEGO BAY, St James — A man who was charged after he allegedly stabbed another several times during an argument in Hampton, St James, last August is resolving his case through alternative dispute resolution.

Fifty-five-year-old Ansel ‘’Rocky’’ Reid, a resident of Hampton district, was charged with wounding with intent, but the charge has been reduced to unlawful wounding.

When the case was brought before the St James Parish Court on Tuesday, it was revealed that the parties had reached an agreement, which required Reid to compensate the complainant.

As a result, presiding Judge Sasha-marie Smith-ashley rescheduled the matter for February 29, specifically for Reid to provide confirmation regarding the initial payment.

His bail was extended until then.

Reports are that about 12:13 pm on August 12 last year, Reid was arguing with another man when he allegedly used a knife to stab the man several times.

The police were alerted and the man was taken to hospital where he was admitted for treatment.

An investigation was launched and Reid was arrested and subsequently charged.

ASSAULT CASE WILL GO TO TRIAL, COMPLAINANTS REJECT MEDIATION

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Mediation is not a viable option for Sydjea Robinson, who is accused of wielding a knife at a Montego Bay doctor and his son, because the complainants are adamant about going to trial.

When the case went before the St James Parish Court on Tuesday, Robinson’s lawyer Noel Butler drew to the court’s attention the existence of a long-standing conflict between the doctor and the defendant. Both men run businesses on the same plaza.

Butler explained that the complainant has repeatedly complained about Robinson’s propensity for smoking marijuana in the plaza. According to the attorney, on the specific day in question, a disagreement arose over the smoking of ganja, and his client was attacked by the doctor’s two sons.

“My client has since left the plaza,” Butler added.

In a previous court hearing, mediation was mentioned as a possible solution, but the complainants were adamant in their refusal to settle the case through alternative dispute resolution methods. Their stance has not changed.

As a result, presiding Judge Sasha-marie Smith-ashley scheduled the case for trial on February 19 and extended Robinson’s bail.

According to court documents, Robinson and the doctor were engaged in a verbal altercation on November 14 last year. During the dispute, Robinson allegedly pulled a knife from his waistband and stabbed at the doctor and his son.

The matter was reported to the police and Robinson was charged with assault at common law.