A Forensic Analysis of a machete beating by a woman

March 1, 2021 | Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie |

It should be noted that in analizing and attempting to take an in-depth examination of the vicious machete beating of a male by very upset machete wielding woman. Which has go viral on social media.  In this case before us,  it should be noted that my views and assessment of the quality of justice meted out to Llandilo is based on the facts as presented on the tape and takes into consideration no other facts. All of us at some point are victims and likely also perpetrators of jungle justice Kangaroo style.

The writer of this perspective is in no position to determine the innocence or guilt of Llandilo. What is being examined is the methodology being used to mete out justice in this instant case. We have no other background information than what you have. Our perspective is not therefore tainted by external factors or other considerations.

The Examination Of The Tape

On close examination of the tape recording of the very obviously upset woman of solid build when compared to the male who was the recipient of the slapping

from the well directed machete by her, has revealed a lot:

1) The recipient, who in this case based on the video or tape recording is a grown man.  His name, based on what we hear on the tape, is Llandilo. He repeatedly declared his innocence to the accusation leveled at him.

2) The machete Wielding woman repeatedly punishes him and ignores his pleas of innocence.

3) Despite the intervention or caution which is quite audibly being expressed by her daughter she is clearly seen on the tape with her continuous violation of the accused Llandilo by slapping him repeatedly and viciously with said machete.

Repeatedly she is heard accusing Llandilo of taking her name to Llandilo.

Her accusation is quite clear. Llandilo she is asserting is according to her account, is a news carrier.

News Carrier

A news carrier should not be confused with being a journalist or media personality. Such conduct at the street level is seen as low down behaviour. Such has been immortalized in song .. one popular song has this line repeated through same inter alia by Justin Hines: The song is Shane and scandal.

“You carry go bring come mi name and cause misery.

He is accused of taking her name to Llandilo, a housing District in St. Elizabeth some twenty five miles away. We are not privy the full contents of the information said to be disclosed by him.

Despite his declared innocence his pleas by his denial are ignored. The obviously very upset machete wielding woman is on a mission to exact her style of justice. She therefore ignores his pleas of innocence.  She is hell-bent on exacting what she knowns best her style of justice which can best be described as jungle justice.

Normal Justice

When one goes to an established legal system as we all are supposed to know, the accused is asked:

 Judge: How do you plead Mr. X?

Mr. X:. Not guilty your honour.

They court may at that point set a trial date. Or in the case that the case was mentioned before, proceed to trial.  Witnesses are summoned and both sides get a chance to be heard. Both the accused and the complainant get an equal opportunity to vent.

After hearing both sides, the judge either announces a verdict based on the evidence presented or dismisses the case. This was not done, based on what unfolded above, as both sides were not fairly heard.

Jungle Justice

In this instant case, what was being demonstrated is referred to as “Jungle Justice” and what was being meted out was jungle justice “Kangaroo style”. In short a kangaroo style of justice.

Judge, jury & Executioner

Llandilo, the name that was repeatedly heard on the tape, was being subjected to the form of justice that is one-sided.  He was not given an opportunity to have a representative to hopefully protect his interest. Not necessarily a Lawyer. At least someone to put forward or assist him to lay out clearly his defense.

The complainant’s only interest was to exact her style of justice better known as revenge.  She cared precious little if the accused was innocent.  She had established her own facts that the accused male Llandilo was guilty as charged. In a nutshell, Llandilo was being subjected to jungle justice. The machete wielding woman had appointed herself as judge,  jury and executioner. She assumed all three roles.  His punishment was to be meted out by a system for which she had established all the ground rules and regulations. The likelihood of his possible innocence was not contemplated. How could Llandilo be innocent?  Who cares about another point of view?

Problematic

This is a classic case of when a police officer decides to either profiles a suspect or decided to arrest someone without a fair investigation. We often refer to this type of thinking as tunnel vision. It is more often than not problematic and never to route to be taken.

Denial

If you deny a charge then a trial has to be held to establish innocence or guilt.  Witnesses are called to get collaborative accounts and likely give background information that can help the court to establish in an unbiased way the true facts.  A denial should not be taken lightly. A denial may or may not be the truth but we are all presumed innocent until proven otherwise. To deny an accused the right to a fair hearing flies in the face of true justice as we have come to accept. Llandilo was denied this fairness.

Commentary

We say to all, never take the law in your own hands.  We are all entitled to a fair trial.  It is just the right thing to do.  To do otherwise is a serious violation of an accused rights.  As Jesus said inter alia:

“That which you have done unto the least of us you have done unto me also”.

We may not all be practicing Christians, but we all like and deserve fair play, irrespective of our faith or lack thereof. It therefore stands supreme that we practice that which we would want meted out to us if and when the shoe is on the he other foot.

Domestic Violence

Is there a correlation to our high incidence of domestic or inter partner violence and the perceived lack of fair play? When a jealous partner resorts to not only accusation, but to destroying a partner’s chattels or improperly on unsubstantiated grounds or false claims, which oftentimes descends to physical violence as in the case of what Llandilo was receiving on the tape. This type of behaviour takes the cake. This is so prevalent today and has always been so. It is more reported in the formal media today and more so with the advent of  social media platforms and the camera phone which is commonly used and is widely available.

We are very grateful to the media personality who captured this action packed drama. Was it staged as one person opined?  It does no appear to be so from my vantage point.  I could be wrong.  If so it would be worthy of an award.  From my vantage point it appears to be plain an unadulterated uncontrolled vulgarity and unbridled violence. The machete wielding woman seem to have had enough and lost it.  She appeared to have has a flash of insanity for a moment. Please note that I have had no specialized mental health training in this regard.

To Be Fair

It can be most hurtful and damaging to ones image and character for someone to slander your name without just cause.  This happens too often to be an occasional occurrence.  Such conduct can be more hurtful than a psychical injury. The harm of lying lips can leave permanent scars of a phycological nature on the victim.  It can make people view you with scorn if not disdain.  It is not a joking matter. This is not to condone attacking someone with a machete.  That assault with a machete is inexcusable.

The bible reads in Genesis that:

“In the beginning there was the word and it became flesh and dwelt among us”

In other words the spoken word or in other forms can be transformed into the psychical and by extension hurt another. Your tongue can prove to be a most deadly weapon.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is a veteran journalist who has varied life experiences. He also has international exposure.