Mom begs for bail for paraplegic son

Yesterday his mother made a failed attempt to secure bail for him. Joanne Fellis, 48, of Battoo Avenue, Marabella, told a High Court Judge in an application for bail, that Jason Andre Fellis’ feet are decaying while he lives in jail on a wheelchair.

Seven years ago, a bullet penetrated his spine rendering him unable to walk. On August 25, 2015, Fellis was charged with committing robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.

When he had appeared in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court, a magistrate remanded him into custody for 120 days in accordance with the Bail Amendment Act 2015.

Sometime in December, 2015, the 120 days had expired and the State had not started the case. Senior Magistrate Nanette Forde-John, in accordance with the amendment, advised Fellis to apply to a judge in Chambers for bail.

Yesterday, attorney Jeevan Andrew Rampersad, petitioned High Court Judge, Justice David Harris in San Fernando, with an application for bail for Fellis.

In an affidavit filed, Fellis’ mother said he feet have blisters and ulcers and are discharging fluid.

She said her son was rushed from the Maximum State Prison, to Mount Hope Medical Sciences Complex on April 21, when his condition deteriorated. Additionally, Fellis had developed severe bed sores on his buttocks and there are large blisters over his body.

The mother complained that her son is not being taken to a medical doctor for follow-up medical treatment for the injury to the spine. Speaking to Newsday after the hearing, Joanne said her son’s stay in jail is a daily mightmare with fellow prisoners having to bathe him and put on his clothes.

When the case came up before Harris, Rampersad argued that Fellis has been incarcerated since August last year.

He further stated that his client had one pending matter, however, Senior State attorney Trevor Jones, pointed out that Fellis in fact has two pending cases.

Harris adjourned the bail application hearing to September 5 for both the State and the defence to ascertain the nature of the pending charges, and whether they have been dispensed with in the magistrates’ court.