Judge unmoved by tears - Woman jailed for allegedly video recording court proceedings

A 42-year-old woman burst into tears, pleading not to have her freedom taken away after she was caught by police officers videoing proceedings at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Thursday.

"Your Honour, I have a job, I am working. I didn't do anything," the defendant Stacia Williams bellowed. But Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell appeared unmoved by the woman's tears. Williams, who was bailed to attend the Corporate Area criminal court to answer to allegations against her of malicious destruction of property, resisting arrest and assaulting police, found herself leaving the courtroom in handcuffs, to be carted off to a holding area for women.

Court protocol, as described on the Parish Court of Jamaica's website, states that, while in court, cellular phones, talking, corrosive liquid or any form of weapon, chewing gum, food or drink are prohibited.

On Thursday, Williams allegedly breached the protocol and was jailed.

"Police, let her open her phone and look in her video cache if you see the video," the judge instructed.

Following an examination of the cell phone, a video was seen, and it was indicated to the judge that it was also posted online.

Williams proffered as explanation.

"Your Honour, I did not video anything. I was just taking the phone from my bag and my hand catch on the camera," she said.

However, Burrell was unconvinced about the explanation.

"You are not to record any court proceedings. You can also see that she was turning the camera around," the judge said, after viewing the footage.

"You are remanded in custody," the senior judge said further.

Hearing the judge's decision, Williams, who had no legal representation, insisted that she had done nothing to warrant being in court, denying any wrongdoing towards the complainant, her cousin.

Allegations state that, on October 8, there was an altercation between Williams and the complainant which became physical. Williams, according to the prosecutors, slapped the complainant's cell phone from her hand as the complainant was videoing her. Shortly after the tussle, police were summoned and they tried to arrest Williams, who pushed a police officer and resisted another. The court heard from the complainant that Williams followed that assault by throwing tiles and glass bottles at her house.

"Your Honour, I didn't damage her phone. I didn't do anything. Tell her nuh girl, me did trouble your phone?" Williams said, addressing the complainant.

"If I had a deeper jail, I would put you in it. You come in here videoing court then you're talking to a Crown witness. Take her downstairs please," Burrell said.

Williams was remanded in custody until November 20, when she is to stand trial for the offences. She was also made the subject of a fingerprint order.