UPDATE: Chapman could have pushed VC - Court hears
Carson, the brother of the Virtual Complainant (VC), David Lee Carson, was offering testimony as a character witness on behalf of the defendant, Thomas Chapman, who is accused of criminal trespass, common assault and making use of threatening language.
Carson told the court that his brother had erected lage signs and a gate that blocked access to the beach by surfers but was later forced to leave it open after police intervened. There have also been legal disputes between the two brothers regarding property rights.
He testified that he had not seen Chapman on Carson’s property on the day the incident allegedly occurred but said he remembered that Chapman was at the beach.
Carson, who told the court that he had not spoken to his brother for ten years, also stated that he had witnessed many altercations over the years at the Cane Garden Bay beach area popular with surfers but had never seen Chapman involved in any on the surf of the beach at any time. The two brothers are neighbours at Cane Garden Bay and live a short distance away from each other.
Describing his relationship with Chapman, Carson said he had built Chapman some surfboards over the years and the two are surfing friends.
The trial continues.
See previous story posted May 10, 2014:
Chapman denies assaulting VC, says story exaggerated
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Thomas Chapman, 29, of Pasea denied entering a man's Cane Garden Bay home and pushing him at any time on December 22, 2012 when he appeared before the Magistrate’s Court to offer testimony in his own defence, on May 8, 2014.
Chapman, a Project Manager, is accused of criminal trespass, common assault and use of threatening language. He has denied the charges and is represented by attorney Richard Rowe.
The defendant said while he does not deny going to the man’s home, it was the Virtual Complainant (VC), David Carson, that added other elements to the story to perhaps make a case for preventing others from using a footpath near his beach side home as access to an area popular with surfers.
According to Chapman, Carson had made many trespassing complaints previously to no avail. He told the court that he visited the VC after his younger brother told him that Carson had chased him from a section of the property. Chapman said he had never witnessed his brother crying before that incident.
According to the allegations, Chapman allegedly told the VC, “If you ever talk to my brother again, I will [expletive] kill you.”
Chapman told the court that he had surfed in the area for at least 15 years and had used the footpath on many previous occasions, including while walking alongside the VC.
Chapman further testified that he had never once been stopped by the VC from using the footpath access to the ocean. “When David confronted my younger brother, my brother was not carrying a surfboard, so David took the opportunity to bully and intimidate him,” Chapman stated.
Chapman said when he visited the VC, he knocked on the front door and Carson answered and he stood on the doorstep from where they had a conversation which lasted briefly.
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27 Responses to “UPDATE: Chapman could have pushed VC - Court hears”
finding Mr. chapman guilty on all 3 charges.
my wife and i are encouraged by the professional behavior of the Cane Garden police,
and especially the court, who sent a clear message they don't take criminal trespassing,
assault, and threatening language, lightly. All BVI home and property owners should rest a bit easier
in their own private residences.