'Schizophrenic' VG man wounds uncle, escapes lawful custody
Matthew was charged with Unlawful and Malicious Wounding and Escaping Lawful Custody on May 18, 2020.
The matter is an indictable one and Matthew was not required to enter a plea when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards on Friday, May 22, 2020.
Allegations
Prosecutor Annjel X. Flax said the Virtual Complainant (VC) in the matter is Tobias Prince, 52, also of Gun Creek.
The Defendant is his 29-year-old nephew. The two reside in the same house with others.
On the day in question at about 01:00 hours, the VC had been at his cousin’s house earlier and went home and had a heated conversation with his sister.
Following the spat, the VC took a towel and a pillow and proceeded to the porch to lie on the ground.
After some time, the VC reportedly saw the accused standing over him looking scary, and he subsequently felt a hard chop at the base of his neck followed by hot sticky substance, suspected to be blood, trickling down on him.
The Defendant ran away, and the police and ambulance were summoned.
The VC was taken to the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic with a deep laceration, about 20 centimetres, to the right side of his neck.
He was later transported to the hospital in Road Town, Tortola.
Escape
Meanwhile, the Defendant was arrested and taken to the clinic and given medication and taken to the Virgin Gorda Police Station.
While removing his handcuffs, he shoved three officers and ran away. He was eventually tased and brought back into custody.
During his interview with police, he admitted to wounding the VC.
Bail
Ms Flax objected to bail, arguing that the wounding is a serious charge.
Flax said the circumstances surrounding the matter as well as the two men residing in the same house could cause trouble within the household if he were granted bail.
The unrepresented man, who said he 'hustles' for a living and also receives welfare money, is scheduled to return to court on July 2, 2020, for the continuation of his case.
The court has also requested a report from the Ministry of Health on the man's mental condition.
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9 Responses to “'Schizophrenic' VG man wounds uncle, escapes lawful custody”
Listen, Road Town Police Station and Balsum Ghut is not the place for mental health people. Until we begin to recognize that mental health is a sickness just like diabetes, cancer, hypertension etc. We will lose family members to the law who are mentally challenged. We need a special task force to deal with them and treat them with respect.
Our Mental Health System needs to step up. We need people who can deal with these people and its not the police. They dont know how to handle these situations because they are not trained to do so. They will be more hostile to them when they are in an aggressive state.
Our government needs to invest in building a proper facility to house them. Some need professional counselling for a lifetime. Proper doagnosis amd most of all LOVE
We need to be more understanding and sympathetic towards those who suffer mentally and not quick to judge them. I am glad no life was lost.