Man dodges jail-time with complaint of contamination

An injured defendant asked not to be sent to jail last week, reasoning that the environment would contaminate his wounds. Twenty-three-year-old Layou resident Jovika Gaymes was charged with two offences before the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court last Tuesday.

He was charged that he did on June 9, in Layou, assault Kazio Williams of Questelles, and that he did, on the same date, trespass onto the property of Arieka Hazelwood.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges. However, Prosecutor Corlene Samuel asked that bail not be open to the defendant. She informed that last month, Gaymes, along with 10 others, had voluntarily entered into a bond in relation to an incident.

She said indications were that there was a continuing dispute, and as such Gaymes was shot in the mouth. Samuel disclosed that the police in Layou were “having a hard time” in relation to the incidents. Therefore, the prosecutor indicated that Gaymes’ safety was another factor in the objection of bail.

Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett noted in response that simply because Gaymes’ was before him did not mean that he had not kept the peace in relation to the voluntary bond.

Gaymes, whose speech seemed affected by the stitches running vertically across his mouth, said that he had to visit the doctor on a regular basis.

He also said, “I feel like the environment might make me more contaminated.” Burnett voiced that he would not take pleasure in sending the defendant to prison, and after pausing in consideration, denied the application of the prosecutor.

Samuel in turn made a request for reporting conditions, a curfew, and a no contact order to be attached to the bail. “No problem,” the 23-year old said of the curfew.

Burnett commented that it wasn’t a problem to him because he wanted to go home, but that to “lock up a big man” between certain hours may be difficult.

The defendant said that it wouldn’t be a problem for him. Bail in the sum of $1,500, with one surety was granted, and a no contact order was made. A curfew was imposed on Gaymes and he is to report to the Layou police station every Monday.

The matter was adjourned to June 27, and transferred to the Layou Magistrate’s Court. A surety signed bail for Gaymes and the defendant walked out of court with a mask over his mouth.