(CMR) Eladio Chesley Brown (54), who chopped his nephew multiple times during a dispute in West Bay, was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday, 11 August, for wounding with intent. Brown, who had more than 100 previous convictions, including for wounding and threatening violence, was sentenced by Justice Cheryll Richards.
Brown reportedly chopped his nephew earlier this year after he intervened in a dispute between Brown and Brown's daughter.
The court heard that on an evening in January, Brown, his daughter, two of her friends, and his nephew went to George Town to hang out with some friends. Brown and his nephew traveled together while the females traveled together in another vehicle.
After stopping at two locations for drinks, the females reportedly said they wanted to leave. Brown became upset when his nephew told him the ladies wanted to go home. After his daughter dropped off her friends, Brown decided he no longer wanted to ride in his nephew's car and went into his daughter's car.
During the ride home, Brown's nephew called his cousin and heard Brown cursing at her before hearing her scream. He reportedly drove up beside their car and warned his uncle against hitting her. However, the court heard that Brown continued arguing with his daughter and dragged her by her hair into their home when they got home.
His nephew, out of concern for his cousin because of his uncle's violent nature, armed himself with a machete and knocked on Brown's door. Brown, also armed with a machete, opened the door and struck him in the chest, causing a deep cut. Brown then struck him in the head, causing him to fall, and continued chopping him with the machete after he fell.
The man reportedly ran and drove himself to the West Bay Police Station, where he sought help.
Justice Richards, in sentencing Brown, used a starting point of six years which was increased by six months due to aggravating factors that he carried out the attack in the presence of others and his excessive chopping of the victim.
The court heard that Brown was at a high risk of reoffending, had a history of conflict with other family members, and showed blatant disregard for social norms. A psychological report also stated that while he did not meet the threshold for mental disorder, he showed signs of personality disorder.
Taking into consideration his age and the psychological report and that there was some form of provocation, Justice Richards reduced the sentence to 5 years.
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