Popular deejay Bounty Killer, whose real name is Rodney Price, is to appear in the Gun Court today following a ruling by the director of public prosecutions (DPP) to have him charged in connection with an assault incident in New Kingston in September 2007.
Price, accompanied by his lawyer, Tom Tavares-Finson, and manager, Julian Jones-Griffiths, turned himself in at the Half-Way Tree Police Station yesterday and was taken into custody.
The deejay, who is known for songs such as Poor People Governor, Fed Up, Suspense and Lodge, maintained his composure as he entered the station about 10 a.m. He was later slapped with illegal possession of firearm, assault at common law and unlawful wounding.
Detective Corporal Garth Watson of the Half-Way Tree CIB told THE STAR that the artiste is accused of being involved in a gun-related incident with a policeman.
altercation
It is alleged that on September 27, 2007, Bounty Killer and a group of men assaulted the complainant along St Lucia Avenue. “They had an altercation and during the altercation, it is alleged that Bounty Killer pulled a firearm and hit the complainant with it,” the corporal said.
A warrant has also been issued for the arrest of former policeman Chalice Bowen, who was a member of Price’s entourage that night. The detective said Price’s arrest was delayed because of the procedure of the DPP.
“A file was sent to the director of public prosecutions and a ruling was sent for him to be charged. The process was delayed due to the normal proceedings of the office,” he added.
Both Price and his lawyer remained confident about the situation. Tavares-Finson said he believes it will only be a matter of time before his client will be freed of all the charges. “We are confident that in the long run, he (Bounty Killer) will be vindicated by the court after the process is finished. We will be going to Gun Court tomorrow (today) and I will apply for a bail,” he said.
off-duty cop
The incident is alleged to have occurred about 4:50 a.m. on the day in question. Reports are that an off-duty policeman left a club on St Lucia Avenue in New Kingston and is said to have seen a number of vehicles blocking a section of the roadway. Several men, including Bounty Killer, Bowen and the late dancer David ‘Ice’ Smith, were allegedly at the scene.
The policeman tried to get the men to move the vehicles but was reportedly assaulted and fired at.
A report was later submitted to the New Kingston police, which resulted in a file being sent to the DPP.
Price already has two cases before the courts. A July 29 trial date is scheduled for a matter before the Traffic Court where he is charged with obstructing traffic and breaking a red light
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In the second case, he is accused of assaulting a pregnant woman on May 20 and was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm. He will be tried on September 10.
Source: JamaicaStar
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