Latest update December 13th, 2024 1:00 AM
GPHC fire…Psychiatric patient deemed by magistrate as fit to stand trial
– remanded to prison
After being in police custody for one week, Leonard Nelson appeared in court yesterday, charged with setting fire to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s Psychiatric Ward, as well as three counts of assault and one count of simple larceny.
Nelson made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Priya Beharry.
It is alleged that on Wednesday August 13, last, Nelson maliciously set fire to the GPHC’s Psychiatric Ward. It is also alleged that on the same day he assaulted Carl Santiago and Clive Knights, security guards at the medical institution. He was also charged with unlawfully wounding Glendon Farley.
In addition, Nelson was charged with stealing one gold chain valued $25,000 from Sharon Henry. To all the charges, Nelson pleaded guilty. He was represented by defense counsel Leslie Sobers.
When Nelson initially made his way into the court room he was crying uncontrollably. However, by the time his case was called he had become composed as he stood in the dock.
Meanwhile, Sobers, in his address to the court asked that the court first declare Nelson unfit to stand trial. Sobers told the court that his client has been a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Psychiatric Ward and that at the time of the incident, Nelson was a patient at the institution.
“Your worship my client was committed by the court for mental evaluation and was admitted to the ward; it was ordered that he be secured by medical staffers.
This would mean that my client would have been searched before being admitted to the ward. I find it strange that my client had matches in his possession while in the ward.”
As such, Sobers asked that bail be granted and his client be released for further mental evaluation. However, Police Prosecutor Denise Griffith objected. She contested that Nelson is fit for trial and tendered a letter of evaluation to the court, issued by Dr Bhiro Harry which stated that Nelson is of sound mind and can stand trial.
The Magistrate then opted to question the accused. He was asked several questions to which he responded correctly and promptly. He, however, told the Magistrate that at times he is not himself. The Magistrate then indicated that she is of the opinion that Nelson is fit to stand trial.
The prosecutor informed the court that around 03:45 hours on the day in question Nelson began throwing water on other patients in the ward. The nurses on duty then called the security guards for assistance. At that point Griffith said Nelson took a piece of wood and began assaulting the security officers. The prosecutor added that the accused then took a box of matches out of his pocket and lit a fire on a bed before running out of the building. While on the road, Griffith said Nelson snatched a woman’s chain. He was subsequently caught and the chain found in his pocket.
Meanwhile, Sobers told the court that since his client was arrested he was not afforded his necessary medications.
After listening to the arguments put forward by sides, the magistrate ruled in favour of the prosecution and bail was refused.
– Nelson has been remanded and is expected to make his next court appearance on September 11.
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