A 41-year-old man accused of unlawfully wounding another was yesterday placed on $20,000 bail when he appeared before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that on August 24 at Georgetown, David Pyle of Lot Two, Phase Two, East La Penitence, Georgetown unlawfully wounded Terrance Thomas.
The defendant in his initial response to the charge of unlawful wounding entered a guilty plea to the court. The presiding magistrate then told the defendant that the charge carries imprisonment and asked him if he wished to change his plea. Pyle, however, again maintained his guilt.
By this time, the defendant’s response drew a moment of silence in the courtroom.
Magistrate Octive-Hamilton then asked the defendant if he wanted to be admitted to bail. Visibly confused, the defendant responded by telling the court that the complainant had assaulted a relative of his.
The magistrate then immediately cautioned Pyle that she was not dealing with that matter nor was she going to hear the present matter. She advised the accused that the details of the case should be left for the trial.
It was at this point that attorney-at-law Peter Hugh who was sitting at the bar decided to offer a bewildered Pyle some free legal advice.
After a few seconds of talking with the defendant, Hugh made an application that the charge be re-read to Pyle.
The attorney’s application was granted and Pyle then entered a not guilty plea to the charge.
The lawyer who continued representing the accused pro bono then made an application that he be admitted to reasonable bail.
Police Prosecutor Shellon Daniels had no objection to the bail application made by the lawyer on behalf of the defendant.
The magistrate then asked the lawyer if he wished to be placed on record as representing the accused but the lawyer calmly responded, “not at this point My Worship.”
The father of five was later placed on $20,000 bail and ordered to return to court on September 30.
