Woman on attempted murder charge to face court next March

WESTERN BUREAU:

A St James woman who allegedly tried to kill her neighbour during a fight had her case deferred to March 4, next year, when she appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Thirty-two-year-old Anita Fletcher of a Spring Mount address is charged with multiple offences, including attempted murder, assault at common law, wounding with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon, committed against Tracy-Ann Dover, .

Fletcher had her bail extended on account of the complainant's absence from court.

It is alleged that on January 29, 2013, Fletcher and Dover were involved in a fight, during which Fletcher went for a machete and threatened to kill Dover; however, residents intervened and disarmed Fletcher, but she returned with a knife and attempted to attack Dover again.

The police were summoned and both women were taken to the Spring Mount Police Station. On the way, it is alleged that Fletcher pulled out another knife and attacked Dover, the arresting officer managing to restrain her. She was subsequently arrested and charged.

On Tuesday, Clerk of the Court Sheryl Robinson told Resident Magistrate Carolyn Tie that the complainant, Dover, had previously been warned by the investigating officer to be present at court.

"The matter is on the preliminary mention list, and the complainant is not answering," Robinson said of Dover. "The investigating officer is indicating that he had warned the complainant to be here … . I will ask for a date for the officer to collect subpoenas for the witnesses."

"Is the fourth of March convenient?" Tie addressed Fletcher's defence attorney, Martyn Thomas.

"Yes, Your Honour," said Thomas, after consulting his diary.

"You are to return on March 4, and your bail is extended," Tie told Fletcher. "The officer is bound over to collect the subpoenas and serve them on the witnesses," the magistrate added.

- C.T.