Magistrate's Court
Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News
Magistrate's Court
Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News
Demitri Maduro of Cane Garden Bay who pleaded guilty to beating a man at the Delta Marine Dock after the captain of the boat on which he was the first mate was told to wait his turn for refueling, has changed his plea.
Yesterday, June 15 in court, Maduro said that he wants to change his plea since he acted in self defense. This request was granted by Senior Magistrate Valerie Stephens and his guilty plea was vacated.
Maduro will now have to stand trial and he also told the court that he will be seeking legal representation. He will return to court on July 3.
Last month, Maduro, 22, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, damaging property [sunglasses valued $50.00] and not guilty to threatening language where he allegedly said, "I am coming back at 1:00 pm and shoot you."
In light of his guilty plea, the crown at the time dropped the threatening language charge.
Prosecutor Herbert Potter said on April 7 after 9:00 am, the complainant reported that he was assaulted by the defendant. Police Officers visited the Delta Petroleum Depot at Baughers Bay and on arrival, the complainant pointed out a minor laceration at his left eye which was also blackened.
The complainant said he was out on the dock speaking to the captain of the boat, explaining to him that there were other boats in line to be refueled and that he should wait his turn.
Potter said Maduro, who was the first mate and was also on the boat, did not take the news well and began using indecent language. The court heard that the complainant ignored him and Maduro came off the dock.
The Prosecutor stated that Maduro momentarily returned to the boat and jumped from the boat back to the dock and punched the complainant in the eye, breaking the sun glasses that he was wearing at the time and causing a laceration to his eye.
The court was informed that the complainant, in an effort to defend himself, pushed Maduro back to the boat.
Maduro was arrested and placed on $7,000.00 Police bail.
Maduro told the court that he is a construction worker with one child and stated that it was the complainant who first hurled indecent language at him and pushed him. He said the complainant shoved him twice before he reacted.
