Wounding accused on trial

A St Joseph woman allegedly told police that while she knew she had stabbed another female, she thought she had landed just one “juck”.

Sergeant Emmerson Reeves gave that evidence today as the case against Sarafina Kanisha Bootman got underway before judge and jury in the No.2 Supreme Court this morning.

Bootman, a resident of Vaughn Land, is on trial accused of wounding Demi Browne-Bowen on June 3, 2017, with intent to maim, disfigure or disable her or to do her some serious bodily harm.

She pleaded not guilty to the charge when she was arraigned before Justice Randall Worrell. Bootman also denied that she was the one who unlawfully and maliciously wounded Browne-Bowen on the same date.

Appearing as a witness for the Crown, Sergeant Reeves said he went on duty on the mentioned date and ventured to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department where he saw Browne-Bowen who pointed out several injuries about her body. He took a statement from her and she  gave him her medical condition form.

The officer said he later applied for a warrant to search Bootman’s residence. On arrival at her home on June 4, 2017, he and another officer identified themselves and told her their reason for being there.

Bootman reportedly replied: “I know why you come for me, I know about it.”

When told of her rights and that she was being arrested on suspicion of committing the act, she again reportedly said, “I know about the incident, it was me who do it”.

At the police station, she was reminded of her right to an attorney and Browne-Bowen’s report that a woman known to her had wounded her.

“I don’t want no attorney. Go ahead with your interview,” she is recorded to have said.

She further stated: “Yes, I know about the report Demi make and thought I had juk she one time.”

Bootman was also shown a knife blade which was taken from the scene of the alleged incident along St Michael Row, St Michael.

“That look like the knife I buy yesterday and stab the girl with,” the accused said when asked by Sergeant Reeves to account for the weapon.

Crown Counsel Romario Straker who is prosecuting the case also called Sergeant Philmore Hall who conducted the identification parade to give evidence. The officer said the complainant picked Bootman, as the person who attacked her, from a line-up of eight other women of similar description and build.

The case in which the accused is self-represented will continue in the High Court on Wednesday.