Family feud case set for March 2013

Christopher Thomas, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A Montego Bay woman who wounded the mother of her brother's child and the woman's sister during a fight is to stand trial in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court in March 2013 as efforts at mediation have failed.

The accused woman, Angela Stephenson, is charged with unlawful wounding arising from an incident in October when she had a fight with sisters Mica and Kela Madourie. Mica is involved in a child-custody case with Stephenson's brother.

The Madourie sisters have also been charged with unlawful wounding arising from the same incident. Their matter is also set for next year.

It is alleged that the Madourie sisters went to Stephenson's family home to speak with Stephenson's uncle about Mica's babyfather. During the conversation, Stephenson hissed her teeth, obviously not pleased by what was being said about her brother.

FIGHT

A quarrel subsequently developed between Stephenson and Mica and they began to fight. Kela intervened and vicious blows were exchanged. Mica and Stephenson both sustained bloody injuries to their faces.

In the aftermath, all three women were arrested and charged. They were initially before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday, at which time mediation was suggested to settle the matter as Stephenson was scheduled to leave the island on Wednesday. However, on Tuesday, attorney-at-law Natalie Messado, who represents the Madouries, told the court that the mediation process had been unsuccessful.

"The mediation proceedings were futile, and there was no settlement. Ms Stephenson is adamant that she wants the matter to go to trial," Messado told Resident Magistrate Sandria Wong-Small.

"Ms Stephenson, your matter is set down for trial on March 20," Wong-Small told Stephenson after consulting her court diary.

"Your matters are set for mention on the same date," the judge told the Madourie sisters.