Ewarton Man Granted Bail in Machete Attack Case

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine – Twenty-year-old Nathan Whyte, of Ewarton, St. Catherine, was granted bail of $300,000 with surety in the St. Catherine Parish Court on Friday, following charges of wounding with intent. Whyte is accused of attacking a man with a machete on January 27th.

The court proceedings centered on conflicting accounts of the incident. According to the prosecution, the complainant was walking along a pathway when he was alerted by a dog and fled. Whyte allegedly pursued him with a machete, and upon the complainant falling, proceeded to inflict severe injuries, nearly severing the man’s left hand. The injured party was subsequently treated at Linstead Hospital.

However, Whyte’s attorney, Kemar Robinson, presented a contrasting narrative, arguing that his client acted in self-defense. “Your honour, my client acted in self-defence. He was at home when he heard strange sounds outside the house. He armed himself and encountered the complainant, who ran at him. The complainant then suddenly spun around when he was injured,” Robinson stated.

The incident reportedly took place on January 27th. The complainant was walking through a pathway when he was alerted by a dog and ran off. He reportedly observed the accused running after him with a machete. During the chase, the complainant fell, and Whyte allegedly began chopping at him. The complainant raised his left hand, which was almost severed. He was assisted to Linstead Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment. The matter was reported to the Ewarton Police Station, and an investigation led to Whyte’s arrest and subsequent charge of wounding with intent.

In granting bail, the court ordered Whyte to report to the St. Ann’s Bay Police Station every Saturday. The case has been adjourned until May 16th, when the court will further examine the evidence and hear arguments from both the prosecution and the defense. The outcome of the case hinges on the court’s assessment of the conflicting accounts and the validity of the self-defense claim.