Local preacher Mr. Carlton O’Neal has been fined $1000 by Magistrate Ayanna Baptiste-DaBreo for physically abusing his wife Shakesha O’Neal. He is required to pay the fine by January 31st or spend two months at Her Majesty’s prison.
The accused in question was found guilty on December 9th, 2019 when magistrate Baptiste Da-Breo determined that he was guilty of the offense. She concluded that his testimonies did not make logical sense and concurred with the virtual complainant whose story matched the evidence presented in the form of photographs to show marks of violence on her wrist.
The victim said on the day in question, her husband pulled into a secluded area in Sea cows bay and assaulted her. She said when she tried to get someone’s attention he held on to her neck. She testified that her young son who was in the back seat, came to her rescue and bit his father’s hand.
The court further heard that after the altercation Mr. O’Neal then asked his wife what she wants to do. She replied, “I’d like $15,000 to return to Jamaica and re-open a hairdressing business”. She said he offered $14,000 but that never materialized.
Mr. O’Neal on the other hand said that his wife tried to exit the moving vehicle which in his opinion, would have endangered not just the occupants of the vehicle but also other road users. In attempting to stop her, he allegedly grabbed her wrist, hence the marks of violence.
The Pastor’s lawyer Stacy Abel also tried to discredit his wife’s testimony and alleged that this was all inspired by a greed for money. “We are only here because she didn’t get her $15,000 to leave. If she had gotten the $15,000 we would not be here. There are too many holes in this story; it doesn’t make sense,” Ms. Abel argued. His lawyer also requested that Mr. O’Neal’s conviction not be recorded but Prosecutor Kael London objected, leaving Magistrate Baptiste Da-Breo to decline the request.
The Magistrate eventually fined him $1000 for the assault committed.