Two men who knew each other since their primary school days are accusing each other of telling untruths with regard to an incident which took place on June 15, 2014 which resulted in one of them being charged with causing actual bodily harm and criminal damage and one receiving stitches to the head. Photo: VINO

At the continuation of their trial today November 11, 2015 Senior Magistrate Ayana Baptiste-DaBreo ruled that the men will return to court on December 3, 2015 for her decision.

Denzil Matthew was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

It is alleged that the two men were part of a fight which resulted in virtual complainant William W. Smith being hit in the head with a bottle, causing him to have to receive nine stitches to close up a one and a half inch gash on the head.

Smith took the witness stand and when asked by Crown Prosecutor Garcia Kelly whether he knew Denzil Matthew, Smith said yes and identified him by pointing out Matthew in the dock.

But he told the court he knew Matthew by the name ‘Butu’ and that they went to primary school together.

Smith told the court that he was 49 years old and that he did various jobs for a living such as welding and mechanical work.

He said that while he resides in Sea Cows Bay he is originally from Frenchman’s Cay, West End.

In detailing what happened on the night of June 15, 2015, Smith said that about 8:30 pm he turned up at a party in Purcell having been invited there by a friend of his. He said he eventually got into an argument with a woman who had challenged him about helping himself to some soup that was there for the party’s guests.

He said that the woman questioned his presence at the party and cast doubt as to the legitimacy of his invitation to that party.

Smith alleged that a fight was started and Matthew was trying to get him leave the party and go home. However, Smith refused as he said that this would have been a demonstration of bad etiquette - to leave without informing the person who invited him. He then testified that Matthew and other men attacked him, injuring him and damaging his vehicle glass.

Smith said that he went to Peebles Hospital where he received treatment and was sent home.

Under cross examination from Matthew, who represented himself during the trial, Smith admitted that things got so heated that he was looking for a rock to hit the woman with but did not find any. However, Matthew was adamant that Smith was not telling the truth and said that he indeed had a rock.

Further, Matthew is denying Smith’s testimony that he Smith was hit in the head by Matthew.

“Mr Smith, you know that I did not hit you. Tell the truth here. I was not involved with you and the fighting,” said Matthew.