When new city magistrate Brenden Glasford exited his chambers approximately 15 minutes after 3 pm yesterday, he was greeted by an almost empty courtroom.
His orderly, who seemed unaccustomed to his role, stumbled over the pronunciation of the magistrate’s name, assigning him a different moniker altogether. An awkwardness hung in the air as everyone, magistrate included, struggled into their assigned roles.
Magistrate Glasford is presiding over one of five city courts now conducting evening sessions, which have been introduced to aid in the disposal of a backlog of cases. They are scheduled to run from 3 pm until 8 pm, although all of the courts had concluded their work by 5.30 pm yesterday.
When the first matter was called in Magistrate Glasford’s court, there was no answer from the defendant. The orderly made a call for Tracy Chase, who rose from a seat in the back row and went to stand near the prisoner’s dock. She related that she had not made it to court on the last occasion as she had mixed up the dates and had turned up a day later than she was supposed to.
Outside, the clang of chains scraping against wooden floors could be heard. Prisoners were being escorted to Court 11, located next door.
Court 11, which is presided over by Magistrate Annette Singh during the day, is under the authority of Magistrate Madan Kissoon during the evening sessions. According to the schedule displayed at various points around the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, new matters for the night court are to be held in Courts 10 and 11 on Mondays.
In Magistrate Kissoon’s courtroom, a few cases went unheard because there was no appearance from the parties involved.
Early on, Ashton Cummings, a soldier accused of being in possession of a stolen cellphone, had his matter called up. Prosecutor Kerry Bostwick, however, announced that the file had not been located. The matter was stood down.
Next was a simple larceny case involving a school child, who had had a cellphone taken from him as he waited at the bus park for transportation to go home. Neither the child (the victim), nor a family member appeared in court. The defendant was read the charge twice, after which he entered a guilty plea. The boy expressed his remorse, while stating that he did not know what got into his head, would never do it again and intended to find a job soon. He said his mother, who was financially strapped at the time, will begin her new job tomorrow.
The magistrate asked the boy his age and he said he was 16. As a result, the magistrate asked the prosecutor why this information was not known before. The prosecutor was unaware. The matter was stood down.
Another defendant, Albert McDonald, was accused of armed robbery. It is alleged that on October 6, at Kingston, while armed with a pair of scissors, he robbed Kevin Chesney of $65,000. McDonald did not plead; the matter was adjourned to today, when it will be recalled for a report on the matter.
Next up were Carol Shepherd and Fizal Mohammed, neighbours in an apartment complex, who got into an altercation over a pot of food. It was heard that Shepherd, 49, of Lot 7 Broad Street, Charlestown, on October 1, at Broad Street, unlawfully and maliciously wounded Mohammed. Shepherd pleaded guilty with explanation, following which, a not guilty plea was entered on her behalf.
The woman related that on the day in question, she had been home boiling channa when Mohammed sent someone to tell her that her food was burning. The defendant stated that she shouted over that it was not, then later proceeded outside to pour the water from the pot when she was dealt a cuff by Mohammed. Shepherd said that in retaliation, she threw a knife she had in her hand at the time.
Her explanation was supported by the prosecution’s case. Prosecutor Bostwick had, however, stated that Shepherd had caused injury to Mohammed’s hand by chopping.
Mohammed, a taxi driver, told the court that he has been unable to work since the injury.
The charge against Mohammed stated that on October 1, at that same place, he unlawfully assaulted Shepherd so as to cause her actual bodily harm. When Mohammed was given the opportunity to enter a plea, he responded, “Your worship, I plead not guilty with explanation and demonstration.” However, he was not granted the opportunity for either by the magistrate.
Both defendants were placed on $3,000 bail each, after Shepherd pleaded with Magistrate Kissoon for a reduction in the sum, which was initially $10,000. The case has been adjourned to October 13 for trial.
Following the rehash of the event, Cummings’ case was once again called, though the prosecution was still not in possession of the file. The matter will be recalled on Friday, when the prosecution is expected to make a report.
Finally, the courtroom was cleared of all persons excluding those directly involved in the matter concerning the minor who pleaded guilty to the simple larceny of the cell phone from the school child. That matter concluded around 5.30 pm. The boy was placed in protective custody until today and a probation report was ordered.
