Fight lands women in court

A teen was scolded by a senior parish judge after she admitted to stabbing another woman who is currently romantically involved with her ex-boyfriend.

"You stabbed her on her breast, all for what? For a man that is not yours? For a man who yuh nuh deh wid now? We have to control the passions that we feel you know, because this is not worth it," Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque said.

It was shared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court last Thursday that Jody-Ann Edwards, 19, stabbed Randelia Oneil, 22, following an altercation. Edwards pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding, while Oneil, who was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, also pleaded guilty. The court heard that Edwards and Oneil both posted slurs aimed at each other on WhatsApp and Instagram following the fight, which further angered the judge.

"This is just shameful for you. It cannot be right for anyone to be throwing shade at anybody; that just looks immature, that is mischievous. I also say it is a weakling who behaves like that. Some people only have 'social media strength', and look at it now, at the end of the day, you are not with him. It wasn't worth it," Judge Cole-Montaque stressed.

But the judge was left further shell-shocked when Edwards revealed that she used Oneil's knife to inflict the wound.

"Me use her knife because she did a beat me in my head with the ratchet," Edwards explained.

"Are you finished with this gentleman? I think this is a man who you must keep your distance from. I am not telling you how to live your life, but I think this man is poison to your soul, with all that is happening with him and his babymother. Walk far," the senior jurist warned.

Edwards agreed to compensate Oneil with $80,000, and a first payment of $20,000 was made in court. The matter is adjourned until July 20, when the women are to be sentenced.

"You are warned, no throwing of words and no posting about the other person," Judge Cole-Montaque urged both women before extending their bails.