Cousins land in court after brawl

Four cousins have agreed to attend restorative justice to resolve their conflicts, following their appearance in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Monday.

Makayla Small, Ann-Marie Antoine, Ramonia Bartley and Jamelia Bartley are charged on an indictment for assault at common law and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. It is alleged that there was an altercation between Ramonia and another female, and Jamelia saw Small videoing it. Jamelia allegedly told Small to cease, when it is alleged that Small brandished a pair scissors from her breast, which resulted in Jamelia's six-month-old baby falling from her hands. Another altercation ensued between the women, the court heard. None of the women have entered a plea.

Ramonia, who is a gas station pump attendant, told Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell that she was before the courts four years ago, following an altercation with Small. She alleges that Small, a trainer at a business processing outsourcing (BPO) company, stabbed her in the head.

"Your Honour, I don't know what my problem is with Ms Small but she said she have to get back the money that she paid in court," Ramonia explained.

"You sure is not because she have a nice job in the BPO? Because it can be that too," the judge argued.

"Your Honour, if me and you is not friend, you don't need to video me and post me. This is the second fight she post," Jamelia added. But Judge Burrell disagreed, opining that what keeps her in check is that someone may be recording her. "Once I step outside of my house, I draw the conclusion that some citizen is exercising their right, according to all the functions. So for me, record away," the senior jurist expressed.

The women then agreed to attend restorative justice and are to return to court on July 15.