Two boys were reportedly stabbed and injured yesterday, and two others taken into custody, following a fight involving several morning shift students at the Marcus Garvey Technical High School in St. Ann’s Bay.
The police were not able to say what started the knife and machete-wielding melee, which left one of the boys severely injured in hospital after he was stabbed in the abdomen. The incident severely disrupted classes, and forced the police to maintain a presence on the school compound until the shift ended.
Two other boys are reportedly being sought by the police in connection with the incident.
36 year old Reita Paige, of Mansfield Heights (also known as Fauklands) in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, appeared in the St. Ann’s Bay Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where she and three of her sons – 18-year-old Odane Smith and two juveniles ages 16 and 14 – faced murder charges in relation to the death of a 17-year-old youth with whom the woman’s daughter was said to have been involved in a relationship.
On July 7, 2010 at approximately 2 a.m., the 17 year old youth (identified as Brian Johnson) reportedly had an argument with Paige’s 14 year old daughter at Johnson’s house in Mansfield Heights. The girl reportedly left and went to her home nearby where she reported the incident to family members. The court heard that Paige and her three sons then armed themselves with a knife and screwdrivers, and went in search of Johnson. He was not seen at his house, but reportedly accosted on a roadway in the community later. It is then alleged that all four attacked Johnson stabbing him multiple times. The blade of the knife reportedly broke in the Johnson’s chest.
When they appeared in court yesterday, Paige and one of her juvenile sons were remanded in custody until August 12. The 14 year old juvenile reportedly has mental problems, and the presiding magistrate ordered that he be assessed by a psychiatrist. He, along with the eldest son (Smith) were each offered bail in the sum of $200,000 with surety. As a condition of their bail, they are to report to the Ocho Rios police on Mondays and Thursdays and a curfew was imposed on them.
The 14 year old girl has since been removed from the home, and sent to a place of safety.
Selvin Bradley of Eltham, near Ocho Rios in St. Ann, lives in a two-bedroom house with only standard electrical appliances such as a refrigerator, fan, radio and a television set. His electricity bill from the Jamaica Public Service Co. (JPSCo.) is usually in the region of J$3000 to $6000 per month, so imagine his shock recently when JPSCo. sent him a bill for $168,251.95 (approx. US$1900).
Initially, a spokesperson for the JPSCo. had said that the customer was being billed for electricity that was not registered on the meter, or “under-registration”. Subsequent to this however, checks by JPSCo. technicians have revealed that faulty wiring at the premises led to the high meter readings. The JPSCo. said that because of the faulty wiring, there were spikes in the meter readings, even while all appliances in the house were unplugged.
The Cave Valley police in St. Ann have reportedly arrested the mother and stepfather of a two year old boy – Kymani Bryan – who died at hospital on Tuesday (February 9) after being beaten at their home.
According to reports, some time between Monday and Tuesday, Kymani was reportedly beaten by his stepfather. He was later taken by his mother and stepfather to the Percy Junor Hospital, where he died. On hearing that he died, the couple reportedly fled, but were later held at different locations in Clarendon.
A twenty-two year old man, Anthony Thomas (aka Bebe), of Windsor Heights in St. Ann, was reportedly killed by a mob in his community early yesterday morning.
According to police reports, on Sunday night, Thomas went to premises at Windsor Heights where he attacked a female and demanded money. She refused, and managed to escape and called the police. When the police arrived at the location, Thomas was not seen. At approximately 12:10 a.m., he reportedly returned and tried to enter. An alarm was raised and he was set upon by residents who beat him. He died on the spot.
The St. Ann’s Bay CIB are investigating.
