A young man who, last week, shouted to Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett that he (the accused) has an “anger problem” was sent for two weeks of psychiatric evaluation at the Mental Health Centre.
Burnett made the decision after further questioning the man’s father, Lancelot Prince.
The man, Nyron James and Prince, are jointly charged with assaulting Carl Wickham at Redemption Sharpes on Jan. 4, 2018.
The men were arraigned on Jan. 8, 2018 and the next hearing was set for Monday.
However, when the matter was called, Prince entered the dock and told the court that he did not know where his son had gone.
He said that James had suffered a nervous breakdown about two years ago.
James turned up to the court shortly after and entered the dock alongside his father.
While standing in the dock, he had to be told, repeatedly, not to lean over the dock and to face the magistrate.
The father told the court that he had not taken his son for a mental health assessment, but was buying tonics for him, an apparent reference to nerve and blood tonic.
The senior magistrate, in his usual style, consulted lawyer Ronnie Marks, who happened to be the only counsel at the Bar table at the time.
Marks suggested to the court that the young man needs professional help and treatment.
“Tonic is not going to work.”
The magistrate then commented that he did not understand why Prince did not tell the court at the arraignment that his son is believed to have a mental health challenge.
The accused father said he thought the police had written it down since he had told them.
“Police? Not the police at all. Tell the magistrate when you come before him. That was not done,” Burnett said.
Marks told the court that the defendant has taken the first step and has admitted, “I have an anger problem”.
“And the way he says it is quite convincing. That, perhaps he just needs some assistance in terms of counselling and other treatment the professionals deem necessary.”
Marks said that the young man has his whole life ahead of him.
“We have to treat him as somebody who has a heart disease or a problem with their kidneys and treat it so that they can be a whole person again.”
The lawyer said it is clear what has to be done in the circumstances.
The magistrate said that the man has to be evaluated and that he would not proceed any further with the matter until that evaluation is complete.
He ordered that the youth undergo two weeks of professional treatment at the Mental Health Centre.
He ordered that a report be submitted to the court by March 12 and the matter was adjourned to March 13.
Why on Gods earth do you need two weeks to do something an internationally accredited psychiatrist could do in two hours. Yes, I know, because some nutty and obsolete law says so.
Sending this young man to the mental institution is not the answer in my opinion. Why not have him see a counsellor for evaluation instead? Having an anger issue does not mean you are mentally challenged. Perhaps the young man is just going through some issues that he cannot sort out himself, which in turn causes him to demonstrate angry behavior. Sending him to the mental institution and subjecting him to possibly mind altering medication could make his situation worst. Have him see a counsellor to sort out the cause of his behavior is a much better option in my opinion. Furthermore, the negative stigma that is associated to someone by simply being admitted to a mental institution in this country could cause serious social damage to this young man future. Who is going to socialize or even employ someone who the court has sent to the mental institution regardless for what? Judges need to carefully think of these things in such situation, because while their intent may be good, their decision could have negative impact on the lives of these young persons, who are unnecessarily subjected to mental evaluation when all that is required is counselling. Based on the mitigating circumstances, the judge should have reserve the case and order the young man to mandatory counselling. Thereby giving the young man an opportunity to get his anger issues resolved. If the order is breached then he could be ordered back to court to stand trial. We can’t keep sending our kids to mental home and give them drugs because they have anger issues. Perhaps all they need is someone to listen and pay them some attention.