A parish judge has rejected the pleas of a mother that her mentally-ill son, who is charged for murder, be granted bail.
The judge arrived at the decision based on safety concerns, as the man was not on his medication, when he committed murder.
The accused man, 19-year-old Jonah Robinson appeared before the St Ann Parish Court on Tuesday, January 10.
Robinson, who is schizophrenic, was charged in relation to the killing of a homeless man, Cebert Lawes, alias “Iron Man.”
Reports are that on Saturday morning, March 5, 2016, Robinson was seen attacking Lawes, outside Island Hoppers, near to the Reynolds Pier, Ocho Rios, St Ann.
An eyewitness said he saw Robinson using a stone to repeatedly hit Lawes who was on the ground. Also, reportedly Robinson was seen washing off his bloodied clothes by the seaside. As Robinson attempted to flee from the property, the witness called the police who later took Robinson into custody.
Police recovered the stone and a stick that was reportedly plunged into Lawes’ abdomen and face.
However, this was not the end as Robinson later turned on himself and dug out his right eye while in custody.
When the matter appeared before the courts on Tuesday, Robinson’s attorney, Vincent Wellesley received a supplemental file (called bundle) in the case. This was a copy of the post-mortem report, thus making the serving of the bundles in the case complete.
The matter was then set for mention on March 31.
However, Robinson raised an arm in the dock, indicating his intention to speak to presiding parish judge Peter Wilson, but his attorney told him to put down his hand.
Robinson wanted to ask about bail.
Wellesley informed Judge Wilson that he has repeatedly informed Robinson and his mother that he cannot get bail because of his medical condition. He said that parish judges Andrea Thomas and Vaughn Facey have spoken to Robinson and his mother and told them of their concern.
This concern was Robinson’s behaviour, while not taking his medication as it is alleged that he was not taking his medication, when he killed Lawes. There was also a concern that if Robinson was not on his medications similar violence could occur.
The matter was before Judge Wilson for the first time and he allowed the mother inside the courtroom. The judge later explained to the mother the reasons why her son was not being allowed bail.
“Please Your Honour, I can take care of him,” the mother begged.
When asked since what age her son has been ill, she responded since he was 17.
Robinson’s mother went on to explain that when she took her son to the doctor twice, the last occasion being Friday, March 4, 2016, the doctor could not see her son. She said the doctor told her to take her son back to see him the following Tuesday.
“And he committed the murder, when he could not get his medication,” Judge Wilson highlighted.
Robinson’s mother sought to assert that she had taken her son to the doctor and said that her son would be on medication if he was allowed to return to her care.
However, Judge Wilson pointed out to Robinson’s mother, that it was while he was in her care and did not get his medicines, the murder took place. “The bottom line is he has a serious problem when he is not on his medication,” Judge Wilson further stated.
Robinson intervened and indicated that he had been taking his medication, but the judge told him that he needed to keep taking the medication.
However, Robinson’s mother would not relent as she said that her son was “not a violent person.”
“He wasn’t a violent person, but look what he did when he wasn’t getting his medication. I cannot grant him bail,” Judge Wilson said.
He further told the woman, that if it reoccurred when Robinson was off his medications, she or another person could be next.
Judge Wilson told her he had to take these factors into consideration and he could not offer Robinson bail.
Robinson will return to court on March 31 for a hearing into the case.
This means that a judge will assess the statements on the file to determine if a prima facie case can be made out against Robinson. If this is determined by the judge, the matter will be committed or sent to the Circuit Court for trial.
