St James judge stunned as $2,000 quarrel ends in stabbing charge

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Presiding in the St James Parish Court, Judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce made plain her astonishment after learning how little money had sparked the matter listed before her. “All of this for $2,000?” she asked Wednesday once she was briefed on why Jordaine Campbell stood charged with unlawful wounding.

Prosecutors outlined that at roughly 9:30 am on May 26 the complainant was working at his Montego Bay car wash when Campbell came in for a wash. Once the job was done, Campbell drove away. Allegations hold that he came back near 2:30 pm that afternoon and claimed the complainant had taken $2,000 from inside his vehicle.

Both men are said to have looked for the cash without success. The complainant maintained he had not stolen it. Tempers then rose, according to the account before the court: Campbell is alleged to have smashed the complainant’s vacuum cleaner onto the ground, after which the complainant used a board to vandalise Campbell’s car. Campbell is further alleged to have stabbed the complainant with a knife.

Police were notified, and Campbell was taken into custody and charged. On Wednesday the case was directed into mediation, and a facilitator attended the sitting. The sides settled on terms, and the judge put the file over for further mention on September 2, when Campbell is due to hand over the sum they agreed. Payment is expected to bring the proceedings to a formal end. His bail continues until that date.