Mother makes passionate plea in court for accused son
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a heartfelt appeal, the mother of one of three accused in a theft case begged the judge to give her son a second chance when the matter was brought up in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.
Asking Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell for permission to speak, which was granted, the mother explained that she felt the three accused should enter a guilty plea because they were told to collect televisions, which turned out to be stolen property.
The mother’s view did not coincide with the legal advice provided to the three accused — Michael Richards, Javon Wright, and a minor — leading to her dismissal by all three, whom she was representing.
They were then assigned legal aid.
The two men and the minor are accused of housebreaking, larceny, and malicious destruction of property.
Court documents state that the three were caught on CCTV footage removing stolen items from a property. The value of the removed items, including damages done to the property, amounts to $350,000.
Acting on new legal advice, the distraught mother explained that she was willing to pay $450,000 in restitution for all three accused but was asking for two weeks to make the payment.
The complainant agreed to restitution but in the amount of $600,000.
The case is to return to court on June 18, 2024, for restitution as proposed by the defendants and their family.
Expressing her satisfaction with the turnaround of the case, which was initially being sent to trial, Judge Burrell said, “This is about giving these young men another chance. You walk away without a criminal record.”
They were remanded in custody until the next court date.
— Kelsey Thomas