Chopped in bed after brawl in bar

A 41-year-old labourer is on trial in the San Fernando High Court for allegedly chopping a fisherman in his bedroom more than three years ago. Andrew Mitchell, aka Vernon Mitchell, of Rig Road, St Margaret’s Village, Claxton Bay, is before Justice Mark Mohammed charged with wounding Curtis Hospedales with intent. A nine-member mixed jury is hearing the case in the Third Criminal Assizes. The prosecution’s case, as presented by State attorney Alexander Prince, is that on October 7, 2000, Mitchell entered Hospedales’ house at St Margaret’s Village and dealt him a chop as he lay on his bed. Hospedales said he was liming with a friend at Ashby’s Bar in Claxton Bay when he intervened in an argument between Mitchell and another man, and told the accused to behave himself. 

Hospedales said while leaving the scene he noticed the accused following him and when he confronted Mitchell, the accused threatened to “dig his eyes out.” The victim said he became afraid and slapped Mitchell. Hospedales told the court that the accused said he was going to report the incident to the police station and boarded a maxi-taxi. Instead, the prosecution is alleging that Mitchell went to Hospedales’ home armed with a brushing cutlass. Mitchell said he was in his bed when he heard a noise, and opened his eyes to see the accused coming towards him with the weapon. Hospedales told the court that Mitchell tried to chop him on his neck, but he lifted his left arm to fend off the blows and received a chop near his wrist. The victim said Mitchell then ran out of the house.

Hospedales report the matter to PC Ramgoolam Deosaran at the St Margaret’s Police Station and Mitchell was later charged with the offence. Mitchell is claiming that he chopped Hospedales in self defence, after Hospedales “planassed” him. Mitchell said he was playing pool and drinking at Prescott’s Club at Claxton Bay, around 4.30 am when the victim entered the premises. He said he gave Hospedales $20 to purchase a “nip” of puncheon rum. He said he confronted Hospedales for his change, and there was a heated exchange. Mitchell said the fisherman left and returned to the scene with a cutlass and as they began fighting he was planassed and cut above his eye. Mitchell said he grabbed the cutlass and chopped Hospedales because “I thought he might have chopped me.” Mitchell said he ran off, and later went to the St Margaret’s Police Station to report the incident, but the police officer he spoke with did not record the report. State prosecutor Alexander Prince and Mitchell’s attorney Capildeo Maharaj gave their closing addresses to the jury yesterday.  A verdict is expected today after Justice Mohammed sums up the case for the jury.