By Latrishka Thomas
Charges against a man accused of attempted murder of his former boss and holding his family hostage were unexpectedly dropped on Wednesday.
Jamaican national, 42-year-old Deron Campbell, appeared in court, facing what could have been severe consequences if convicted.
Campbell was charged in November 2023 with attempted murder, unlawful confinement, and wounding following an incident that had occurred on October 29.
The alleged attack began around 9pm when businessman Ovid Lewis offered to drive Campbell home after a conversation at Lewis’ residence in Ferris Farm.
According to Lewis’ report, the situation escalated when Campbell began using threatening language and stated that ‘one of them was going to die’.
The confrontation turned violent when Campbell reportedly stabbed Lewis in his rib area.
Thereafter, Campbell allegedly forced Lewis’ wife, 38-year-old Kamoy Lewis, and the couple’s eight-year-old daughter into the bathroom and held them at knifepoint.
During the chaos, Campbell was also accused of wounding Lewis’ 21-year-old son, T-Shawn Lewis, who sustained injuries to his wrist and chest.
Law enforcement arrived at the scene and initiated negotiations for the hostages to be released during a process that lasted several hours.
The young daughter was eventually released, but attempts to secure the wife’s freedom proved challenging. Reports indicate that police ultimately made the decision to forcibly enter the bathroom.
Fortunately, both the woman and child were physically unharmed after the ordeal.
Campbell was subsequently arrested, and Ovid Lewis was transported to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries.
Despite the gravity of the situation, all charges against Campbell were withdrawn because Lewis, the primary victim, expressed his wish not to proceed with the case.
While Campbell has avoided criminal prosecution, he still faces consequences. The Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel granted a deportation order which mandated his return to Jamaica onboard a flight today.
