Yesterday we told you that the men involved in the stabbing incident at the Philip Goldson International Airport were both charged jointly for disorderly conduct. In addition, 27 year old Darvin Sutherland was charged with wounding and use of deadly means of harm.
But today one of those charges was withdrawn by the victim. 19 year old Jovannie Mckenzie, who had to use a wheelchair in court, explained that he was there to withdraw the charges after he found out that Sutherland was his cousin.
However, in the case of the deadly means of harm charge, that is an indictable offense and cannot be so easily dropped. Mckenzie would have to go back to the precinct he made the report and request no further court action, which will prompt the DPP to send her directive to the court.
After the proceedings today, Sutherland spoke to court reporter Anita Nembhard and told her what transpired at the airport.
Darvin Sutherland, Charged For Deadly Means Of Harm
"Young boy was just mad from we came to work. So he came and tripped on me so we were in a back and forth so we start hard talk to each other then he walk into me and start bump into me then I threw a punch at him then we started to scramble. Then one of the securities parted us. Then he grabbed a water bottle and threw it at me."
Reporter:
"You and he had any issue before?"
Darvin Sutherland
"No issue."
Reporter:
"Did he even know you guys were related?"
Darvin Sutherland
"Not at the moment."
Reporter:
"But you know now that you guys are cousins."
Darvin Sutherland
"Yes ma'am."
Reporter:
"Do you still have a job?"
Darvin Sutherland
"I doubt it miss."
Reporter:
"How long have you been working at the airport?"
Darvin Sutherland
"Just made a year."
Reporter:
"Do you feel like you had to do what you did in terms of fight back with him?"
Darvin Sutherland
"Yes ma'am, defend myself."
Both men were unrepresented in court and both plead guilty to the charge of disorderly conduct. While the initial report stated that Sutherland had stabbed McKenzie, McKenzie today explained that he injured himself when he fell on his own knife. He told the court that he never wanted court action from the start, but was forced to make a statement by the police officers.
Due to this, the Magistrate allowed the charge of wounding to be withdrawn, as well as McKenzie's charge of aggravated assault.
In terms of the disorderly conduct charge, they were bound over to keep the peace with each other for 3 months effective today in the sum of $200, in default one month imprisonment.
The prosecutor objected to bail for Sutherland, but after hearing that both men did not want to continue with court action, the Magistrate offered him bail in the sum of $2,000 plus one surety of the same amount.
If McKenzie does not withdraw the charge of deadly means of harm at the Ladyville precinct, Sutherland will have to return to court on January 10th, 2025.
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