KINGSTON, Jamaica — A man was freed of unlawful wounding charges following mediation and the complainant’s request to have the case dropped when they returned to the Half-Way Tree Parish Court on Tuesday.

Junior Lynch, who was accused of wounding his sister during an altercation in January 2023, was free to leave after the Crown offered no evidence against him as the complainant said she did not want to continue with the matter.

Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell, noticing that there was still some tension between the accused and his sister, expressed her concerns. However the complainant was insistent that she wants to be finished with the case as her mother is stressed about it and the accused has so far abided by the measure she requested during mediation.

When asked about the terms agreed to during mediation, the complainant replied that she had asked that the accused move from the home they shared with their mother.

“As long as he stays west, and I stay east your honour, I am satisfied,” the complainant said.

Judge Burrell, accepting the complainant’s reasoning, went on to reiterate that Lynch should not go to the residence unless invited. She then accepted the accused’s not guilty plea and released him from all charges.

— Vanessa James