| Jury Delivers Guilty Verdict in 10 Minutes |
| By Teshell Samuel |
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It took a jury all of 10 minutes to find a Parson’s Ground man guilty of wounding with intent of causing grievous bodily harm on Wednesday (Jan. 18). Elvis Bradshaw, the convicted man, was charged with wounding with intent and unlawful wounding as an alternative charge, following an altercation at his former place of employment in February of 2010.
According to lead Prosecutor Rhonda Nisbett-Browne Bradshaw chopped Darren Hendrickson with a machete on his right hand causing serious injury to the limb. At the time of the incident both men were employed at Builders Paradise, Bradshaw as a general helper and Hendrickson as Yard Manager and Bradshaw’s boss.
Four witnesses gave testimony during the trial and Hendrickson being the virtual complainant was the first to take the stand. He testified that at about midday on the day in question he had just returned to the company premises and met Bradshaw leaving with a box in his hand.
He got out of his car and walked over to where his subordinate was and searched the box, he said. Hendrickson said that it was at this time that Bradshaw shoved him and he in return punched him once in the face. He said the defendant then ran to his car and returned a minute later with a machete and swung at him twice. The first blow he said hit him on the head but his bundle of dreadlocks cushioned the blow and saved him from injury. The second blow, however landed on his right hand which he had raised to shield himself from the blows. Two of his fingers were injured.
Surgeon Dr. Cameron Wilkinson gave evidence during the trial as the doctor that treated Hendrickson for his wounds. Dr. Wilkinson explained that on initial examination of his patient he found that the index finger on his hand was completely severed and the first joint of his middle finger was partially severed with fractures to the bones. According to the doctor Hendrickson underwent surgery to close the stub where his finger once was and to repair the damage done to his middle finger. He deemed the injury severe but not life threatening.
Bradshaw who did not have representation during the trial exhibited great difficulty in following the proceedings of the case, however with noted assistance by High Court Judge Justice Errol Thomas he was able to come through the trial without bias to him or an unfair advantage over the prosecution. The defendant attempted to call on two witnesses to assist his case however they did not show and he decided not to take the stand to give his evidence on what took place on the day of the incident. He did try to indicate to the jury however that his actions were purely in self-defense.
After hearing all of the evidence, the 12 member jury, 10 males and two females, were sent to deliberate. They were given 10 minutes to settle into their quarters; a mere ten minutes later the group returned with a unanimous guilty verdict.
Elvis Bradshaw is scheduled to appear again before the Court on February 2, when he will be sentenced for his crime. |
