Feud over properties lands men in court
ST JAMES, Jamaica – Following a property dispute that culminated in one man inflicting knife wounds on another and the injured man assaulting the other man’s mother, the court referred the matter to restorative justice.
The two defendants, Aldaine Reynolds and Anthony Pottinger, appeared in the St. James Parish Court on Wednesday before presiding parish judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley.
Reynolds is facing a charge of unlawful wounding committed against Pottinger, while Pottinger faces a charge of assault occasioning bodily harm committed against Reynold’s mother.
In the case against Reynolds, it is alleged that on December 7, last year, about 12:20 pm, in Rose Heights, the accused man and Pottinger got into an argument over multiple issues concerning their properties, which turned physical.
According to court documents, Reynolds allegedly stabbed Pottinger in the right shoulder, right ear, and head, causing wounds.
Meanwhile, on December 9 that same year, Pottinger and Reynolds’ mother clashed over a manhole. During the brawl, Pottinger allegedly flung a stone, breaking the woman’s left middle finger.
During Wednesday’s hearing, the clerk-of-court reminded the court that the matter was referred to restorative justice on their prior court appearance.
Pottinger, however, told the court that they had gone to restorative justice but that there was nothing to work out because he was not guilty of the allegations made against him.
“There is nothing to work out..I did not do what I have been accused of,” he said.
The parties were then instructed to return for another mediation session because the restorative justice process was still ongoing. The judge also advised the three parties to maintain a spirit of forgiveness.
The matter was subsequently set for mention on May 4 and both men’s bails were extended.