Kimelia Paul improving after Harbour View stabbing as Kingston court defendants raise heat complaint

Thirteen-year-old Kimelia Paul is now responding to treatment and showing improvement after being left unconscious following a stabbing in Harbour View. Relatives said she has completed two of three major operations, while doctors continue working to stabilise her.

The teenager was badly injured about three weeks ago, reportedly after stepping into a domestic dispute involving her cousin and the cousin’s boyfriend. The alleged attacker is said to have turned on Kimelia and stabbed her in the abdomen. She was taken to hospital and remained in a coma for several days. Her mother, Josephine Mitchell, said public support has helped the family through an extremely difficult period, though relatives say Kimelia still has a long recovery ahead.

In another matter, defendants in the trial involving alleged members of the Tesha Miller faction of the Clansman gang complained Tuesday about the conditions under which they were brought to the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston. The sitting, usually scheduled for 10 a.m., was delayed until 2 p.m. because of administrative issues, and the 25 accused men were not placed in the holding area as early as usual.

Defence attorney Dennis Hudson told Justice Dale Palmer that Miller and the other defendants felt they were being treated “as cattle” after travelling in prison trucks that had been left in the afternoon heat. Hudson said the vehicles were metal inside, had little airflow and became extremely hot. Justice Palmer noted the concern and said earlier transportation should be accommodated where possible to reduce discomfort.

Meanwhile, Baptist minister Reverend Dr. Genral Miller has criticised Parliament’s restriction on the use of Jamaican, often called Patois. Preaching Sunday at Bethel Baptist Church in St. Andrew, he referred to opposition MP Nikisha Burchell being stopped on May 13 from delivering part of her maiden sectoral debate speech in Jamaican.

House Speaker Juliet Holness had ruled that the standing orders require standard English in the House of Representatives. Reverend Miller argued that language is tied to identity, dignity and belonging, saying the exclusion of Jamaican from the legislature reflects deeper colonial attitudes. He linked his message to Pentecost, saying people should be able to speak to God and about public life in their own tongue.