Lawyer concerned about ‘cowboy justice’ trend

A STATE attorney yesterday expressed concern about the way in which some people attempt to take justice into their own hands. Referring to defence attorney Nathaniel King’s argument that taxi drivers sometimes carry cutlasses in their vehicles to protect themselves from potential attacks by criminals, prosecutor Marissa Gomes expressed her disagreement with what she described as the “cowboy justice” mentality that seemed to be catching on in this country.

King’s argument was part of his mitigation plea on behalf of manslaughter convict Aaron Ali. Ali, who was on trial before Justice Anthony Carmona for the murder of Marlon “Fygee” John on June 28, 2002, was found guilty of the lesser count of manslaughter on February 4. The defence attorney pleaded for leniency, since the fatal shooting had been provoked by the deceased. King, who was being instructed by attorney Ryan Cameron, hinted at a non-custodial sentence for his client, whom he said had no previous convictions. However, Gomes informed Carmona that Ali had been convicted for possession of marijuana on January 9, 2001, and had been fined $6,000 or a prison term of three years hard labour.

She said the State “vehemently opposed” a non-custodial sentence given the serious nature of the offence.  “A life was lost,” the prosecutor reminded the court, coupled with the fact that Ali was in possession of an illegal firearm. But she expressed confidence that the court would not take these issues lightly. Referring to the statement given by the defendant, Gomes said Ali could have reported the altercation in which he had been involved in with three men prior to the shooting to the police. Instead, he went home for a shotgun, loaded it and returned to the scene. During the trial, State witness Chester Williams testified that Ali had shot John without provocation. In his defence, however, Ali said he had accidently shot John while fending off an attack by the deceased. Ali, 27, of Morne Coco Road, Petit Valley will be sentenced today.