Dad, mom, daughter each jailed for four years

A PASTOR, his wife and daughter have found themselves in hot water after a guilty verdict sees them spending four years behind bars, save and except the possibility of a successful appeal.

Pastor Nigel Morgan, his wife Althea and daughter Crystal, were charged two years ago for unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on Cuthbert ‘Mafia’ Victory, of Prospect, on April 9, 2016.

Victory has been waiting since 2016 for ‘justice’ against the three, whose actions, he said, left him with angry burns across his back, a result of boiling water poured from a kettle.

Victory was not the only one waiting since the trial began; all those who had seen a video posted online in 2016 showing the Prospect resident being held down by two individuals, while a young woman emptied the contents of a kettle on him, were also waiting to see the result.

Yesterday had been set as the date for decision by Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett, after the trial finally drew to a close earlier last month, following numerous adjournments.In giving his judgment Burnett outlined all the evidence given in trial by witnesses, Victory, Clint Antoine, and each of the Morgans.

In giving his judgment Burnett outlined all the evidence given in trial by witnesses, Victory, Clint Antoine, and each of the Morgans.

From the evidence before the court, and having perused the relevant authorities, he deduced that the three defendants acted on their own, and could not be said to have been part of a joint enterprise.

BEHIND BARS: from left, Crystal, Nigel and Althea Morgan have a word with a member of their family before being whisked away to Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) yesterday.

However, he then considered whether Althea and Nigel Morgan could have been considered to have aided and abetted their daughter in the commission of the offence.

Burnett stated that from the evidence given, he “found it hard to believe that defendants one and two (Althea and Nigel) did not see defendant three (Crystal) until some time after,” the hot water was poured. He also noted from the evidence, among other observations, that neither the husband or wife released their hold on the complainant.

Ultimately, he found that the parents did aid and abet Crystal Morgan in the commission of the offence.

As for the defence of self defence, submitted by defence counsel Kay Bacchus-Baptiste, the Magistrate indicated it could not succeed. There were indications that Crystal Morgan knew what was happening outside the home that day, and the Magistrate further saying “from the evidence it would seem that although defendant three’s (Crystal) spirit left her body, she gave a detailed account.”

All things considered, he found all three defendants guilty of the charge laid against them.

With protests of dissatisfaction, Bacchus-Baptiste rose to give mitigation for the now guilty trio.

She noted that the defendants were of good character, and “there’s no doubt that the virtual complainant (Victory) contributed greatly to what happened.”

She said that it is clear that Victory slandered the Morgans.

“Certainly not a custodial sentence [should be enforced],” she concluded surely, citing their “totally clean records.”

Not leaving it at that, Bacchus- Baptiste requested the Magistrate not to take the “pressure on” in relation to sentencing, because of the amount of “pre-trial publicity.”

Saying the events were “almost like a circus,” she revealed that it was only because of the cost that she didn’t have the trial held in a different jurisdiction.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpesche asked that the matter be treated seriously, “to my mind it is barbaric to pour hot water on a human being,” he stated.

DEFENCE COUNSEL Kay Bacchus- Baptiste has indicated her intention to appeal.

He asked that the court impose a custodial sentence that would “reflect the seriousness” of the matters.

Bacchus-Baptiste indicated that she was well aware of the seriousness of the matter, which was why she did not ask for them to be reprimanded or put on a bond.

While saying that the medical report showed that the burns were not very serious she said, “I believe my learned friend feels to satisfy the public he has to say custodial sentence.”

She insisted, “Clearly this is not a case where a custodial sentence is necessary.”

Having followed a decision for a previous burn case where he gave the defendant two years in prison, Burnett said he was minded to impose a custodial sentence.

Four years in prison for each defendant, he ended.

Once these words left the magistrate’s mouth, Althea Morgan, who had been holding on to the dock for support leaned over in apparent shock. Her husband and daughter, who were blank, held her up.

While the Morgans walked to the prisoners’ bay, Victory walked outside to meet his family, and the crowd of interested persons gathered outside.

Upon hearing the verdict these persons joined Victory in being upset, saying “that not enough for what they do to my family.”

Joseph ‘Cuffy’ Caesar, Victory’s father voiced this to the media, “Me nah feel e geh enough… each one ah dem should get 10 years! Each! Ten! Ten! Ten!”

The vocal crowd waited to see the three Morgans board the transport and head to the prison.

However, Bacchus-Baptiste has indicated her intention to appeal the sentence.

BURN VICTIM Cuthbert Victory