Homeless man let off with warning for stoning courtesy officer

Christopher Thomas, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:A homeless man who was arrested after reportedly cursing and throwing stones at a group of courtesy officers was let off with a warning when he appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Junior Cross, who is of no fixed address, was admonished and discharged after he pleaded guilty to using abusive language, resisting arrest, indecent language, and stone-throwing, and not guilty to disorderly conduct. He had allegedly committed the offences on August 7 in the vicinity of Margaritaville on Gloucester Avenue in Montego Bay.

"You pleaded guilty to indecent language and stone-throwing, so how come you pleaded not guilty for disorderly conduct?" a confused Resident Magistrate Vivienne Harris asked Cross.

SELF-DEFENCE

"I was on my way to Dead-end Beach, minding my own business, and I walked across Margaritaville, talking very loudly. The officer told me to go my way, and I said that I'm a mad person and not in my right mind," said Cross.

"The officer came over and hit my hand more than two times, and I threw the stones because I had to defend myself, and it was five of them (officers)," added Cross, as he indicated to his arm which appeared to be broken.

"You understand the court proceedings and what you are charged with, so you're not mad ... . You were just talking to yourself?" RM Harris asked him.

"Yes, Your Honour," said Cross.

"Since you have spent some time in custody already, I will admonish and discharge you. Don't go on Bottom Road (Gloucester Avenue) and be talking to yourself," RM Harris warned Cross, before allowing him to leave the courtroom.