JLP councillor-candidate says he feared for his life in St Thomas altercation

Attorney-at-law Alexander Shaw says his client Dean Jones, the councillor-candidate for the Trinityville Division in Western St Thomas, feared for his life when he pulled what appeared to be a firearm during an altercation on Monday.

The incident was captured on video.

In the now widely circulated footage, Jones is captured hitting a man clad in red who had approached a vehicle he was seated in.

In a statement to the media Tuesday, Shaw said his client was conducting his lawful business when he was physically attacked by persons unknown to him.

Shaw said the alleged attack caused Jones to sustain serious injuries and be placed in imminent fear for his life.

“Aware of the mounting threat to his person, our client took defensive action to de-escalate the situation. He thereafter reported the matter to the St Thomas police who are currently carrying out an investigation,” the statement from Shaw said.

“This encounter was very traumatic for Mr Jones, and against that background we urge the public not only to respect his privacy in this difficult time but also resist any attempt to politicise the matter,” it added.

The Gleaner was not able to reach the head of the St Thomas police Superintendent Allison Byfield to confirm whether the matter is being investigated.

However, the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Corporate Communications Unit said the police are aware of the incident.

The 50-second-long video, which appeared to be spliced, begins with a woman counting what appeared to be money by the passenger window of a white motor vehicle.

Immediately after, a man sporting a red t-shirt approached the vehicle on the driver's side where Jones was seated with the door open.

A tussle ensued before Jones is captured hitting the man who had collared him.

A second man clad in a black t-shirt and orange hat comes to the unknown man's assistance, kicking Jones in the process.

The councillor-candidate backs off while pulling what appeared to be a firearm before veering out of the video.

The altercation continues with the man clad in red, however, this time it is with another man clad in green.

A third man, also in green, joins the fracas before the two overpower the man in red.

Jones then appears back in the footage while a female passer-by de-escalates the altercation.

Meanwhile, in a statement this morning, the Opposition People's National Party accused Jones of being the aggressor in the incident.

The party described the incident as alarming and disturbing.

According to the PNP, it was Jones who confronted the man in front of his business place allegedly demanding the removal of an orange shirt and armband associated with the party.

The situation escalated to violence as Jones assaulted the man, the PNP claimed.

- Kimone Francis

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