Eden Lodge man remanded after roommate stabbing

A 23-year-old general worker has been remanded to Dodds Prison after admitting to unlawfully and maliciously wounding his roommate during an argument over the condition of their shared home.

Rechaun Daniko Cumberbatch, of 4th Avenue, Austin Drive, Eden Lodge, St Michael, appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Douglas Frederick and admitted to unlawfully and maliciously wounding Kemal Howard on August 10.

Sergeant Victoria Leacock told the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court that the two men lived in a house where they occupied separate bedrooms but shared common areas. Howard reported to the landlord that Cumberbatch was keeping the house untidy and the landlord contacted Cumberbatch. Upon returning to the house, the accused got into a verbal argument with Howard at the entrance.

Cumberbatch armed himself with a knife, while Howard had a wrench. The argument was quelled, but as Howard began walking along the roadway, his roommate placed him in a chokehold. He said he felt four stabs – three to his neck and one to his head. Eyewitnesses assisted Howard, who was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment. Cumberbatch turned himself in to the police and admitted to the offence.

Cumberbatch told the court that he was acting in self-defence.

“He rushed at me, so I had to hold him when he was trying to hit me with the wrench. He had the knife on him. I was defending myself,” Cumberbatch said, adding that he got cut in his hand while grabbing the knife.

“You almost killed him. You know that, right? You are lucky that he didn’t die,” Frederick said.  “This is a matter of tremendous violence on your part. 

“This type of thing usually calls for a custodial sentence, but because you are a first-time offender, I am mandated to get a pre-sentencing report on you. This is a serious matter, and obviously it will cause a lot of hostility, so in the meantime we will remand you into custody.”

Cumberbatch will return to court on September 14.

(JB)