Teenager slapped with a fine

Nineteen-year-old Isha Kemoy Lewis was so offended when Miracle Rouse laughed as she passed on February 16 that she slapped her across the neck.

This resulted in a criminal charge and an appearance before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court.

The 8th Avenue, New Orleans, St Michael resident told Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant today “every time she sees me she troubles
me, making remarks, giving me stink looks and laughing. I just want to walk in peace please!”

However, Rouse told the magistrate she was having a conversation and laughing with two young men on the roadside “when she [Lewis] turn ‘round and put she hands in my face. She saying I laughing at she but I don’t pay she no mind.”

Rouse explained that she went to tell her father, who knows Lewis, about the incident but she ran up behind her and “she scratched me behind my neck”.

Asked what was the reason for such an attack Lewis responded: “She trouble me . . . by laughing.”

Magistrate Cuffy-Sargeant was puzzled by the explanation.

“I don’t understand, she is not to laugh or can only laugh when you tell her to? It makes absolutely no sense.”

But Lewis was not finished. She also maintained that Rouse was troubling her by “dropping songs” for her. Lewis shared some of the lyrics when asked to do so.

“This is pettiness between you two. You [Lewis] have not said anything to me that is of substance,” Cuffy-Sargeant said before she ordered that the accused compensate Rouse $400 in one month.

Both women were also placed on a bond for the next 12 months. If they breach the order they will have to pay the District ‘A’ Magistrate Court $1,500 forthwith or spend two months in prison.