Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

UPDATE: VC unfit to testify in sword matter - Psychiatrist

Magistrate Dr Velon L. John is now set to rule on whether a trial will go ahead against accused men, Mustafa Claxton, 28, and Charles Plaza, 43, after a psychiatrist testified on the competence of the Virtual Complainant (VC) today, April 22, 2014. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Magistrate Dr Velon L. John is now set to rule on whether a trial will go ahead against accused men, Mustafa Claxton, 28, and Charles Plaza, 43, after a psychiatrist testified on the competence of the Virtual Complainant (VC) today, April 22, 2014.

The two both pleaded not guilty to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and are represented by attorney Stephen R. Daniels.

Today, Psychiatrist Dr Jardine Davis Turno, a mental health psychiatrist, testified that he had seen the VC, Kevon Baronville on separate occasions regarding his illness and whether he was competent enough to give evidence at trial.

Baronville was diagnosed as having a disorder known as psychosis which makes persons lose touch with reality and also manifests itself through hallucinations, delusions, disorganised speech, disorganised behaviour and interferes with a person’s overall functioning, Dr Turno testified.

According to the patient’s history which was read in court, Baronville was first diagnosed with the disorder in June 2011 and treated by means of injection with anti-psychotic medication.

However, Dr Turno first saw Baronville in September 2013, nearly a year after the incident allegedly transpired. He could not say whether Baronville had been taking the medication prescribed at the time the incident allegedly occurred in December 2012. The VC was again seen in February 2014 but was reportedly not in a state of active psychosis the doctor said. The report issued stated that Baronville was unfit to give evidence in the matter.

The matter will come up for hearing again on May 8, 2014.

See previous story posted March 2, 2014:

Competency report stumps samurai sword matter

- Crown to procure report for witness before trial can proceed

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The court is yet to proceed with a trial against two men accused of allegedly dealing several blows and injuring another man after a samurai sword was discovered missing in December, 2012.

The two men, Mustafa Claxton, 28, and Charles Plaza, 43, both pleaded not guilty to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm when they appeared before the Magistrate’s court on February 7, 2013. Plaza is represented by attorney Stephen Daniel.

However, when the duo appeared before the Magistrate’s Court on January 30, 2014 it was disclosed that one of the prosecution's witness in the matter was required to submit a competency report before a trial could proceed against the accused men.

The prosecution, led by Crown Counsel Herbert Potter, undertook to have the report available in time for the next hearing so that Magistrate Dr Velon John could make a ruling on how or whether the matter will proceed before the court.

According to the allegations, the VC was living with his mom, stepfather (Charles) and Plaza along with other siblings at the time of the incident in Free Bottom. Claxton was also reportedly a resident of the Free Bottom area and lived in close proximity to the VC.

It was alleged that Plaza went home on December 2, 2012 and met the VC on the porch when he reportedly enquired of the whereabouts of a samurai sword and the VC indicated to him that he did not know the whereabouts of the sword. The defendant then allegedly punched the VC with his fist under his chin and caused injury to his tongue, which started to bleed.

The VC then reportedly left for Brewley’s Superette and was approached by Plaza and Claxton; Claxton then allegedly struck him with a piece of stick about his body.

The Police visited the area and reportedly saw the VC with blood on his nose, bruises on his arms and back after which he was transported to Peebles Hospital where he reportedly received medical attention. 

Police later met with Plaza and he reportedly denied the charge. They later encountered Claxton and he allegedly admitted to hitting the VC with a stick.

Claxton was given $45,000 bail while Plaza was given $50,000 bail; both with one signed surety. The men were also asked to have no form of contact with the VC.

The matter will next be heard on February 14, 2014.

9 Responses to “UPDATE: VC unfit to testify in sword matter - Psychiatrist”



Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.