Duo to undergo psychiatric evaluation following unusual behavior in court

0
713
gavel.png
- Advertisement -

By Elesha George

[email protected]

Two young men are set to undergo psychiatric evaluation by newly appointed psychiatrist Dr Griffin Benjamin after exhibiting unusual behaviour during their recent court appearances.

Acting Chief Magistrate Dexter Wason and Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel are expected to meet with Dr Benjamin on Tuesday to address the growing issue of mental health in the justice system.

One of the men, Azil Roberts, was charged with acts of violence to property. His court appearance was disrupted as he continuously spoke over Magistrate Wason, prompting the court to remand him into custody. Roberts, who appeared to be murmuring to himself before the proceedings, claimed that the family whose property he destroyed had caused the police to destroy his home and “mash-up his face” during a search in December 2023.

Roberts reportedly trespassed into the family’s backyard, damaging their plantain and banana trees. Despite being held for six months in order to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, no such assessment was made. On January 8, 2025, he allegedly returned to the family’s property and shattered the glass on two of their parked vehicles.

There was no attorney or family there to support or represent him and the accused told the court that he “had no one”.

The family, expressing fear that Roberts would continue to target them, questioned who would compensate them for their losses. Magistrate Wason explained that there is currently no state fund to cover such incidents, adding: “We all have to suffer the loss.” However, he assured the family that Roberts would not be released until he is cleared by Dr Benjamin, adding: “I don’t believe he’s in his right mind.”

On the other hand, the other complainant was asked to absorb the cost for a crack on the screen of his cell phone that was stolen by Koeci Francis. Francis was charged with larceny for stealing the phone, worth $945 which contained two sim cards, and pleaded guilty when he appeared before Magistrate Wason yesterday.

According to police, the phone was tracked to the Perry Bay area, and when officers asked Francis about the phone, he showed them where it was. The 38 year old who said both his parents are dead and that he works in agriculture and other trades, appeared in court in an unkempt state.

Like Roberts, he exhibited unusual behaviour but did not seem violent. Instead, he stood firmly at attention and stared blankly into the air when telling the court that he has a trade and scholarship for everything and that he had trained for army and “black suit”. His behaviour led the magistrate to determine that he may be in need of psychiatric help.

Francis was remanded to prison and is expected to also undergo psychiatric evaluation. His next hearing has been scheduled for April 24, 2025.

Magistrate Wason revealed that between 40 and 50 individuals requiring mental health treatment for issues ranging from mild anxiety to full-blown disorders like schizophrenia have either been sent to prison or are out on bail.

“Like many other Caribbean societies, we have been neglectful to those persons.” He assured however that the authorities are trying to put systems in place to deal with them.

Of the 30 prisoners he sees on Thursdays, he added, approximately 10 may require evaluation. In cases involving non-violent offenders, he sometimes issues long-term bonds and releases them into the care of their parents.

However, in the absence of alternative facilities, Wason admitted to personally imprisoning 20 people who show signs of mental disorder because there has been no other accommodation to house them, thereby providing measures to safeguard the public. He is however hopeful that the system will witness some well-needed changes now that Dr Benjamin has been hired full-time.

The government is also expanding health-care services, having recently purchased the former Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall building in Sea View Farm to treat patients affected by a range of mental conditions.

- Advertisement -

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

5 × 4 =