Judge furious at defendant’s slow pace of compensation

A peddler had to sit in custody for almost two hours on Thursday, after angering a parish judge when she informed him she had no monies to pay compensation.

"What is the reason for me to allow you to walk out of here today?" Parish Judge Leighton Morris asked the defiant defendant Julene Daley. She responded that she is currently unemployed and cannot attain the $47,000 required to complete the case. Daley is before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court for unlawful wounding.

It is reported that last September, Daley and the complainant were involved in an altercation in South Parade, downtown Kingston. Daley, the court heard, punched the complainant in her face, which caused a wound that bled. It was agreed, by way of mediation, that Daley was to compensate the complainant $50,000. But Judge Morris was informed by prosecutors that Daley has only made one payment of $7,000.

"It is two months to making it a year that the case has been before the court and you only paid money once. There is a balance of $43,000 and there is nothing forthcoming. I am remanding you in custody," the presiding judge said, before Daley was placed in handcuffs and carted from the courtroom.

However, almost half an hour later, attorney-at-law Davion Vassell, who appeared amicus curae in the matter, meaning that he was an impartial adviser in the case, told the judge that $30,000 was available for payment.

"I was wondering if her bail could be restored," Vassell submitted.

But Judge Morris was not swayed, as he requested that the money be paid to the accounts department and that he would "consider the request".

But as Daley was returned into the prisoner's dock, after spending her time in the holding area, she appeared to be remorseful.

Judge Morris restored her bail and ordered her to have the remaining $13,000 when she returns to court on July 13.

- T.T.