That the way it goes! Gov't abuse

[Lazie]

man fi 18 years and will be given a 5th term. Man abuse (box) abuser and get 1 year suspended sentence. Man must know dem role.

[Lazie]

JFJ opposed to sentence for man who slapped KD Knight



Executive Director Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) Dr. Carolyn Gomes is livid over Monday morning's outcome of Carey Knight's case.

25-year-old Carey Knight is accused of physically assaulting outgoing MP for East Central St. Catherine, KD Knight, was remanded Monday morning when he returned to the Linstead Resident Magistrate's court.

Knight, who earlier pleaded guilty to assault, was handed a one year prison sentence at hard labour by Resident Magistrate Vashti Chatoo.

However, the sentence was suspended for one year.

But in a later development RM Chatoo ordered that Carey remain in police custody as investigators are unable to determine a fixed address for the convicted man. He is to return to Court on July 25 when it is expected that a determination will be made on how to proceed.

Dr. Gomes says, “Very unfortunate. Number 1, we get back into worrying about the difference in sentencing. I mean, we have another case, the case of Kimberly Adamou. The woman was beaten, dragged along the ground, suffered injuries which are documented and had her goods stolen, for which the man was convicted. And he was not given no sentence at all except a fine.

“So one box (slap) I don’t know how it merits one year at hard labour, whether or not it’s suspended.

“And then what does the man’s address have to do with him being in custody?!” said Dr. Gomes.

She argued that the authorities could have adopted a different approach rather than remand Mr. Carey for an additional two weeks while investigators try to determine his official residence.

“Surely it needed to be dealt with urgently by the social workers before it got to this stage. Surely we needed to assess whether he needed some psychiatric help or whether he was simply homeless. And in which case, the government has a duty under the Poor Relief Act to provide somewhere for him to live!”

The Resident Magistrate urged Carey Knight not to get into trouble for a year or he would be brought back to court and sent straight to prison.

Justice Chatoo recommended that he check into a mental health facility under the supervision of a probation officer.

Last Tuesday, Carey Knight reportedly underwent a psychiatric evaluation in which doctors declared him fit to plea.

K.D. Knight was addressing Peoples' National Party supporters on June 24 when the younger man walked onto the stage and slapped him on the back of the neck.

Some party supporters then set upon the man. He reportedly received head injuries and stab wounds.