标签： Jamaica

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The Berbice High Court has scheduled January 6, 2025, for the sentencing of Deonarine Dookhoo, a Guyanese national convicted of murdering his mother in a tragic 2021 incident. The sentencing date was formally set by Justice Sandil Kissoon following a trial that concluded with a unanimous guilty verdict from a 12-member jury.

Court proceedings revealed that Dookhoo, also known locally as Dinesh, perpetrated the fatal assault on his mother, Teshwattie Jaglall, at her West Coast Berbice residence between June 30 and July 1, 2021. The prosecution established that Dookhoo, who resided with Jaglall alongside his two children, had a documented history of alcohol abuse that frequently led to domestic tensions.

Evidence presented during the trial demonstrated that the defendant used a cutlass (a traditional machete-like weapon) to attack his mother after she confronted him about his persistent drinking habits. The violent assault resulted in Jaglall’s immediate death, creating shockwaves through the small Berbice community.

The four-year judicial process included extensive investigation into the family’s background, revealing patterns of alcohol-related domestic strife. Justice Kissoon’s court examined numerous witness testimonies and forensic evidence before delivering the conviction. The upcoming sentencing hearing will determine the appropriate punishment for this severe crime under Guyana’s legal system.

A domestic dispute in Montego Bay, Jamaica, triggered by post-hurricane recovery efforts, has resulted in serious criminal charges after allegedly escalating into a violent machete attack. Gavin Seaton, the accused, appeared before the St James Parish Court on Wednesday facing assault charges, though he maintains his complete innocence.

The incident originated on November 4 in Mount Zion, St James, when the complainant was discussing reconstruction assistance for her hurricane-damaged home with a male friend. Prosecutors state that Seaton, her live-in partner, became enraged upon witnessing this interaction. The confrontation quickly turned physical when Seaton allegedly seized the woman’s phone, grabbed her by the throat, and punched her in the torso and chest area.

According to court documents, the situation intensified dramatically when the victim attempted to flee. Seaton reportedly pursued her with a machete, forcing her to seek refuge in a neighbor’s residence. The attack culminated with Seaton allegedly thrusting the weapon through the neighbor’s window in a continued attempt to reach the victim.

Law enforcement subsequently arrested and charged Seaton with assault occasioning bodily harm and common law assault. During police interrogation, he reportedly made a statement suggesting the case would not proceed due to the victim’s affection for him. However, in court before Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton, Seaton vehemently denied all allegations, swearing he never laid hands on the complainant.

The judicial process continues with prosecutors noting outstanding evidence including a medical certificate and neighbor’s statement. Seaton was granted bail set at $150,000 Jamaican dollars with up to three sureties. The case is scheduled for further mention on January 21, 2026.

In Westmoreland’s Savanna-la-Mar, a critical humanitarian situation persists as approximately 50 survivors of recent hurricane devastation remain inadequately housed at the severely damaged Godfrey Stewart High School. Among the vulnerable occupants are multiple children, including an infant who required hospitalization after falling ill from exposure to winds penetrating broken windows.

The living conditions present alarming challenges, with displaced individuals sleeping on classroom desks minimally cushioned by sponge fragments. Particularly concerning is the situation of a visually impaired man occupying a perilously elevated desk without proper care or hygiene assistance.

Despite previous assessments by Ministry of Social Security officials who examined destroyed homes and promised substantial housing solutions by November, no subsequent updates or assistance have materialized. The victims now face additional uncertainty as the school must eventually resume educational functions, potentially leaving them without shelter.

Address this gap, businesswoman and philanthropist Dr. Patricia Smith has spearheaded relief efforts through her foundation. In collaboration with the Secret Heart Spiritual Church led by Apostle Ray Foster, she has established temporary housing solutions including a converted 40-foot shipping container and multiple four-sided tents on her property. Dr. Smith has personally invested approximately US$10,000 (J$1.6 million) in installing essential sanitation facilities and water tanks, with equivalent additional funding required to expand support.

This initiative constitutes the second phase of her foundation’s comprehensive strategy to stabilize victims until governmental institutions implement permanent solutions. Dr. Smith’s commitment stems from personal experience—having endured homelessness herself at age ten. She has directed proceeds from her autobiographical work ‘I Persist’ toward the relief effort and actively seeks corporate and individual partnerships to bolster foundation resources.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Prominent entertainment figure Romeich Major has launched a stern critique against corporate entities for their widespread cancellation of Christmas celebrations following Hurricane Melissa’s devastation. In a recent YouTube interview with the Jamaica Observer, the event promoter and artist manager accused major corporations of using the natural disaster as a pretext to abandon staff festivities that he argues are crucial for mental recovery and economic stability.

Major specifically targeted billion-dollar corporations, distinguishing them from smaller businesses that might genuinely lack resources for event hosting. He argued that these large companies have both the financial capacity and social responsibility to maintain traditions that provide psychological relief to employees traumatized by recent events. “When corporate entities cancel these events, they’re essentially turning off the lights across Jamaica’s entertainment sector,” Major stated during the emotional interview.

The promoter emphasized the therapeutic value of holiday gatherings for workers experiencing hurricane-related trauma, noting that many Jamaicans are suffering from profound mental health challenges after witnessing casualties and experiencing personal losses. He maintained that corporate Christmas events serve as critical opportunities for emotional release and community bonding during national recovery efforts.

Major pledged to continue advocating for the entertainment industry’s sustainability during Jamaica’s reconstruction phase, positioning cultural events as essential components of national resilience rather than discretionary luxuries.