15-year-old ‘bad blood’ between brothers fester, siblings ordered to undergo restorative justice
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Two brothers were ordered to enroll in the island’s restorative justice programme after 15 years of arguments resulted in physical assault.
One of the brothers, who disclosed that he has been a Christian for 10 years, says he constantly ‘turns the other cheek’ when provoked by his sibling. His brother however, begged to differ.
“Your Honour, him say him a Christian and him come down a my shop and say mi thief him board and say the blood of Jesus is against me and start to punch me,” he said, evoking laughter from the courtroom.
His brother then tried to defend himself but was interrupted by Senior Parish Judge, Sanchia Burrell, who told the brothers that Jamaica does not need anymore “bad blood between brothers”.
“This has to stop. Jamaica does not need this. Too much bad blood,” she said.
“I don’t find this funny because it could have been a different case and only one of you would be left standing,” she continued before ordering the siblings to undergo restorative justice.
The brothers left the courtroom vowing to make the best use of their mandated time in the programme.