Carldeen Lawrence, 20, was today found guilty of grievous harm against one of his two stepdaughters. The incident, which occurred in June of last year, was addressed by the courts when the verdict was read and a fine was imposed.
On June 8, 2011, Lawrence, who resided on Elston Kerr Street with his common-law wife and two stepchildren, was left to take care of his stepdaughters, Brittney and Courtney Patt, a year and two years old respectively, while their mother, Jeneva Mooro, went to work at Princess Hotel and Casino.
It is alleged that when the mother returned from work sometime after 3:00 in the evening, Lawrence met her in the yard and told her that she would get upset with him. She asked him why, but instead of answering her, he then asked for Courtney’s Social Security card. Again, she asked him why, but Lawrence still didn’t answer.
They then made their way into the house, and that was when she saw her daughter on a bed with a swollen right leg.
Mooro told her mother what happened to Courtney, via text, and she took Courtney to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital afterward.
The attending physician called a social worker, and after viewing his findings, she, in turn, called the police.
The physician stated that “the child is at a high risk of present death if returned to the same environment;” there was also evidence of neglect because the child suffered from parasites, even in her head.
The injuries she suffered — a fractured right leg and abrasions to her body, were classified as grievous harm.
The trial was partially heard in January of this year, and was brought to a close when the last two witnesses for the prosecution gave testimony.
A total of five witnesses were called by the prosecutor: Jeneva Mooro, the mother; the grandmother; the social worker; a Justice of the Peace who witnessed the caution statement; and the arresting officer, WPC #1228 Keisha Reyes.
When Mooro was called to testify on behalf of Courtney, she was vague in her testimony, so the prosecutor, Sergeant Dennis Miles, called on the social worker to finish the testimony on the child’s behalf.
Lawrence, who now lives in the Jane Usher Boulevard area and works at 88 Meat Shop, chose not to cross-examine the last two witnesses, and after the prosecution closed its case, Magistrate Hettie Mae Stuart offered Lawrence three options for defending himself, which were: to give an unsworn statement from where he was standing without being cross-examined by the prosecutor and/or the magistrate; to give a sworn statement in which he would be cross-examined by the prosecutor and/or the magistrate; or to remain silent.
He was also informed that he could call witnesses on his behalf.
Before the court was adjourned for lunch, Lawrence said that he would give an unsworn statement, but when the trial resumed, he changed his mind and opted to remain silent.
Magistrate Stuart then gave her decision on the case, stating that she was, “…satisfied that the prosecution had proven its case without reasonable doubt…” and found Lawrence guilty of grievous harm against Courtney Patt.
After delivering her guilty verdict, Magistrate Stuart then asked Lawrence if he had anything to say on his behalf, in mitigation.
Lawrence responded that he is asking the court for leniency, since it was the first time he had been charged with any crime.
After ascertaining that he had no previous convictions, the magistrate decided to impose a fine of $800, plus $5 cost of court, which is to be paid by May 15, 2012; in default of payment, Lawrence will be imprisoned for 8 months.
Probably feeling that he had been dealt with harshly, Lawrence then told the court that he is expecting a child, with Mooro, next week, but the judge explained that she already exercised leniency by imposing a fine of only $800, as opposed to the maximum of $3,000.
As a result of the incident, the two girls, Brittney and Courtney, are now living with their biological father.