A 27-year-old farmer from St Thomas has been convicted of murder following an altercation that arose from a minor traffic incident.

Raheem Burgher, a resident of Danvers Pen, St Thomas, was declared guilty on Tuesday in the St Thomas Circuit Court.

The evidence presented in court revealed that on June 22, 2019, Frank Williams, aged 42, was operating his Toyota Corolla along the main road in Danvers Pen. During his drive, he reportedly collided with the side view mirror of Burgher’s vehicle.

Witnesses indicated that Williams failed to stop after the collision.

Later that day, Burgher visited Williams at his residence to discuss the incident. Williams reacted violently, attacking Burgher with both a machete and a knife. A physical confrontation ensued, during which Burgher managed to disarm Williams. Subsequently, Burgher seized the knife and fatally stabbed Williams.

Law enforcement arrived at the scene to find Williams suffering from multiple stab wounds. The response team transported him to the hospital; however, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Following an investigation, police arrested and charged Burgher with murder. He is scheduled to return to court on October 17 for sentencing.

Security Guard Acquitted After Violent Exchange.

A security guard was acquitted of criminal charges on Tuesday after admitting to assaulting a man in the Corporate Area. The complainant had made offensive remarks about the security guard’s mother.

The incident occurred when the complainant attempted to enter a supermarket where the guard, Kevin Hawthorne, was on duty. The supermarket’s security policy mandates that customers must leave their bags in the baggage area.

When Hawthorne informed the complainant of this rule, the individual became confrontational, insisting he would not comply.

A verbal altercation ensued, during which the complainant allegedly said to Hawthorne, “Me nah talk to nuh nobody who nuh wah hear weh me affi say, but s**k yuh mada!”

The allegations presented by the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court prosecutors ultimately supported Hawthorne’s case. The complainant was perceived as the instigator.

Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell expressed her disbelief upon hearing the remarks made by the complainant towards the security guard.

“He told this man to go and do things to his mother and wants to go to trial?” the judge questioned.

While the judge suggested mediation, the complainant declined and opted for a trial instead.

Hawthorne entered a plea of guilty to the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. But, the judge chose not to impose any penalties.

“Sir, go home. You’re admonished and discharged. Next time, you walk away from people,” the judge advised Hawthorne.