Bunting and Blacks Settle Criminal Case
The criminal case brought by Peter Bunting’s son for wounding has been settled by mediation. Peter Chanpaigne, Lawyer for Bunting has disclosed. A figure of four million Jamaican dollars was accepted for medical and related costs according to media sources … as settlement.
Background
You will recall as posted in Vision, that it was alleged that younger Bunting had confronted Blacks, a music promoter after he was upset that Blacks and company were playing music too loudly that disturbed them (Bunting), at an apartment complex shared with Bunting and himself. It is further alleged that instead of summoning the police to quell the alleged disturbance, Bunting took matters in his own hands by confronting Backs. A fight ensued, which left Bunting with a broken jaw and other injuries.
Counter-suit
Blacks counter- sued Bunting for wounding him. The suit and counter-suit had the potential to be a messy affair.
Criminal Record
There was the distinct possibility that either party could be convicted criminally which would stain their records for life. The risk to either party was therefore far reaching.
Mediation
It in had long been suggested that an out of court settlement was the likely outcome or strategy of the counter-suit. This was a big gamble as the outcome was not iron clad. The safest and most desirable outcome was mediation. So said, so done … in short a ‘compronise’, as we call it in Jamaica and elsewhere. My mother Ivy, always told me that ” the worse settlement is usually better than the best court case”.
The criminal case brought by Peter Bunting’s son for wounding has finally been settled by mediation. Peter Chanpaigne, Lawyer for Bunting has disclosed. A figure of four million Jamaican dollars was accepted for medical and related costs according to media sources.
Counter-suit
Blacks counter- sued Bunting for wounding him. The suit and counter-suit had the potential to be a messy affair.
Blacks counter- sued Bunting for wounding him. The suit and counter-suit had the potential to be a messy affair.
Criminal Record
There was the distinct possibility that either party could be convicted criminally which would stain their records for life. The risk was far reaching.
Mediation
It had long been suggested that an out of court settlement was the likely outcome or strategy of the counter-suit. This was still a big gamble, as the outcome was not iron clad. The safest and most desirable outcome was mediation. So said, so done … in short a compronise. They often say that a worse settlement is better than the best court case.
Commentary
We are delighted that the matter is settled. It is a teachable moment for us all. Let law enforcement do their job. They are so trained to deal with conflicts or disturbances. This is why police exists … to keep the peace. Young Bunting should have known better. Blacks and company could have been on a high from drinking etc. Bunting could have been killed in the melee. This is mere speculation … we have no evidence.
Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is senior International correspondent and photojournalist for Vision newspaper Canada
