Jah Cure may face up to 15 years if convicted – attorney
THE CAREER of reggae-dancehall entertainer Jah Cure was plunged into fresh turmoil over the weekend. The entertainer was reportedly arrested by Amsterdam police following an altercation between him and a promoter.
Jah Cure, whose birth name is Siccature Alcock, has had previous run-ins with the law. He was charged with illegal possession of a firearm, rape and robbery with aggravation and following his conviction, received a 15-year sentence in 1999, but was released early in 2007 after serving eight years. Four years later, he went on trial on drug possession charges after police found a small quantity of marijuana in the artiste’s motor vehicle during a spot check in St Andrew.
Those previous convictions may not have any weight in the current investigation, said Christopher Townsend, an attorney-at-law who has represented a repertoire of popular Jamaican entertainers such as Elephant Man, Munga Honorable, Capleton and most recently, Richie Stephens.
“It is still a crime of violence, but it depends on whether or not they will take this into consideration as it relates to this jurisdiction because it is out of the jurisdiction, as well as they may say that that was some time ago. So, the length of time that offence was committed will also be taken into consideration,” he said.
“As to whether or not it will place any weight as it relates to how the judge will view it, the judge may say I don’t put much weight on that, it was committed several years ago, and you’ve paid the penalty for that, and deal with the one that’s there. Based on the potential charges outlined, he is facing up to 15 years,”Townsend continued.
While behind bars, Jah Cure recorded and released Longing For and Love Is in 2005 and then the hit single True Reflections (Prison Walls) in 2007, the year he was given parole.
The Grammy-nominated artiste allegedly stabbed Nicardo ‘Papa’ Blake, the head of Roots Vibes Promotion, who was reportedly instrumental in getting the entertainer a booking in the European country.
STABBING INCIDENT
A report from the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service confirmed details of a stabbing incident on October 1 in the Dam Square and that a suspect was in custody; however, due to Dutch privacy laws, they could not provide the name of the individuals involved. Details are that a 45-year-old man was stabbed last Friday, October 1, at the Dam Square in the city centre of Amsterdam. The victim went to the police station to report the incident, and he was immediately taken to a hospital where he had surgery. A report was filed the following day against a 42-year-old man who allegedly stabbed him on Friday. Following reports made by the victim, and a quick investigation by the Amsterdam police, the 42-year old suspect was arrested in the city centre of Utrecht on October 2.
They further added that the suspect was arraigned yesterday before the examining judge, who in turn ordered that the suspect remains in custody, without bail, in a detention centre for 14 days while the police investigation continues. He is facing charges of suspicion of attempted murder, attempted manslaughter, aggravated assault or attempted aggravated assault.
Attorney-at-law Donahue Martin, who has represented Jah Cure in the past, said that while he does not know enough of the circumstances that led to the stabbing, he is looking for a favourable outcome.
“For anybody I have represented, it is always regrettable for them to be in custody, but I can’t apply my mind to it because I don’t know enough. The information we’re getting from there is quite skeletal, but I am hoping for the best for him,” the lawyer told The Gleaner.
“Jah Cure is known to me; personally, I represented him in less severe circumstances, but the matter I represented him on was in-camera, and there was no publicity. Personally, I don’t always like to publicise matters, but I heard of the incident, but I still don’t know what the situation is,”Martin added.
COMMON LAW
Among other local entertainers, Martin has represented include Tommy Lee Sparta and George Nooks. The lawyer said that the Dutch legal system contrasts Jamaica’s legal system, which is based on the Common Law with three distinct arms of government, the executive, the legislative and the judiciary. The system of government is based on the British Westminster model.
“The Dutch justice system is based on the French Civil Code. In remanding Jah Cure for 14 days, they are perhaps waiting for additional statements, or maybe the attorneys have asked for disclosure of certain documents. So, there is a strong possibility there is more to the narrative that justifies the action taken to remand the suspect than we know, and his attorney would want to see those before advancing a bail application,” Martin explained.