UPDATE: Youth apologises for Purcell bike stabbing incident
The defendant, a VIslander, had just turned 18 years of age a week before the alleged incident, which reportedly occurred on June 6, 2012 and has been incarcerated since June 19, 2012.
His attorney, Mr Patrick Thompson, related that the defendant was previously employed as a shelf stocker at a supermarket before his incarceration but has since lost this employment due to the time he has spent on remand.
Mr Thompson noted that it was now for the accused to take up the challenge of putting the pieces back together after the incident. Thompson noted that while his client was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident, it in no way excused his behaviour but probably offered an explanation of his irrational behaviour at the time.
He cited the use of the air gun in the incident as a possible source of provocation to the defendant but this was refuted by the prosecution. When the suggestion was made, Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards agreed that the defendant may have been challenged but suggested that the defendant should have “provoke [himself] to the police station”.
Senior Crown Counsel Mr Valston Graham, in representing the Crown’s case, suggested that the air gun appeared not to be ‘in play’ at the time of the incident and in no way resembled an actual firearm. He offered to submit a photograph of the object to dispute this claim. The defendant vigorously shook his head in the negative when a description of the object was given by Mr Graham.
Police obtained a medical report for the VC, which allegedly indicated that the victim incurred approximately $600 in medical expenses for his injuries.
Jefferson will return to court on February 26, 2013 for sentencing.
See previous article posted on June 20, 2012
18 year-old in Purcell bike stabbing denied bail
Essardo Jefferson, who is accused of stabbing a Purcell business owner on June 6, 2012 over a mountain bike squabble, was denied bail when he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday June 19, 2012.
The 18 year-old is charged with attempted robbery and inflicting grievous bodily harm and was not required to plea to the indictable offences.
This news agency understands that bail was denied because the court believed that the young man has a propensity for violence.
During Jefferson’s first court appearance on June 12, Senior Crown Counsel Christilyn Benjamin rolled out the facts of the case surrounding the incident that occurred six days before - June 6. According to her, around 8:30 p.m., one of the Virtual Complainants (VC) Samuel Tom, was in the vicinity of Rowen Martin’s place of business when Jefferson turned up and spotted a mountain bike parked nearby.
He allegedly stated, “Whose bike is this, I going down the road with it.” The court heard that Tom allegedly told him he did not know and Jefferson could not take it. However, that did not deter the defendant, the court heard.
It was then things started to get a bit ugly, when Tom held on to the bike.
“He [Jefferson] behaved in an aggressive manner towards Tom. He pulled out a knife from his pants pocket and in stabbing motions wielded it at Tom saying that he is going to take the bike. Tom in an attempt to defend himself used the bike as a shield,” Crown Counsel Benjamin related to the court.
Martin, the other VC, observed what was going on, came out with an air gun from his shop, and when the defendant noticed the gun he ran off but not before allegedly threatening the men by saying “I know your faces, I will come back to get you.”
The court heard that Jefferson returned shortly after and entered Martin’s shop, who asked him to leave the premises. However, that request was ignored, Senior Crown Counsel Benjamin stated.
The 18 year-old allegedly pushed Martin and a struggle ensued. “Jefferson pulled the knife and made two stabbing motions at Martin and then walked away from the premises,” the Crown Counsel disclosed.
It was a customer who informed Martin that he was bleeding in the chest area. The businessman was taken to Peebles Hospital where he was treated for his wounds. He received two stitches to a wound that was inflicted underneath his right breast plate and three stitches for the wound at the center of his chest.
Three days later, June 9, 2012, Jefferson was arrested and charged by Police.
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20 Responses to “UPDATE: Youth apologises for Purcell bike stabbing incident”
When I was on my shift in jail, thare was a guy that openly worships the devil. He used to tell the visiting churches that he dont want to hear nothing about God and sit in his cell with his satanic tools.
Do not believe that apologie smebody will do the same thing over and over again, even mom is afraid of him,he allegedly threaten her on numerous occasions...