Ras Bongo Shines claims self-defence

Executive member of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Green Party Ras Bongo Shines has claimed self-defence, in an incident involving Ratho Mill resident Monty John last week.{{more}}

Shines, whose real name is Joseph Cain, visited SEARCHLIGHT on Monday, May 7, to refute allegations, made in the May 7 publication of SEARCHLIGHT, by a witness who said he saw Cain attack John, who received more than 20 stitches to his neck.

Originally from Park Hill, the Calliaqua resident was charged at the Magistrate’s Court in Kingstown, last Friday, and given bail of $5,000. He is expected to return to the Calliaqua court on June 5.

Cain gave his side of what happened on the morning of Thursday, May 3, but SEARCHLIGHT is unable to report on the details, since the matter is currently before the court.

However, the dreadlocked Cain said he believes that he was merely protecting himself against three attackers, in a life-threatening situation, as any human would do.

“It could have been me. It could have been me going to the cemetery, or it could have been me who get injured.

“I feel totally sorry about it; because it coulda be avoided…. But if they did get the upper hand of me, I feel I woulda get chook with a harpoon; or if I did run, it woulda been a little bit more bloody….”

The Green Party candidate for the West Kingstown constituency in the 2010 elections said that he is not a violent person and is hoping to get a verdict of not guilty’ returned in his case.

He pointed out that he is still a member of the Party, and believes that the setback would not affect his chances to contest the 2015 general elections.

“I am a person who don’t violate no one’s rights and I does share what I have; but if you put yourself in my case, and three persons come up on you…

“I didn’t kill anybody or steal…. I find other people in other party did worse than me; to stone a church is not something easy, and to be an alleged rapist is not easy… so my case is self-defence, so I don’t find that this should be a problem.”

Cain said that he hopes his current legal wrangle does not distract persons from the works of the Party and from looking at the bigger issues that are affecting the country.

“My thing is a minor thing; we have to keep focus on the major issues,” Cain said.

“They are going to make this about the land, but it is not about the land. I would like to tell them they must speak truth; and only truth can set them free; and don’t touch the Almighty anointed for their slandering tongue can do me no harm.”

When he appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court last week, Cain told reporters not to take his photograph.

When he appeared before Senior Magistrate Donald Browne, he pleaded not guilty to unlawfully and maliciously wounding Monty John of Ratho Mill, on May 3. Cain is alleged to have chopped Jack with a cutlass on the left side of his neck, following an altercation.

Cain was ordered not to interfere with John.

Attorney Grant Connell represents Cain in the matter.(JJ/KW)