The decision in the matter in which soca superstar Machel Montano was charged for assault five years ago will not be known until December 10. This is the third time the decision has been deferred. Montano, along with entertainers Joel “Zan” Feveck; songwriter/ producer Kernel Roberts; and Rodney “Benjai” Le Blanc, reappeared in the Port-of-Spain Seventh Magistrates Court yesterday, expecting to learn their fate.
However, Magistrate Maureen Baboolal-Gafoor was not present and the matter was adjourned by a clerk of the peace. With only three magistrates reporting for work yesterday, operations at the court were severely affected as matters had to be adjourned by court officers.
Montano, the 2012 Road March champ, Power Soca Monarch and Groovy Soca Monarch, is jointly charged with fellow artistes Fezeck, Roberts and Le Blanc with assaulting Russell Pollonais and Brandis Brown. Montano, 37, also faces additional charges of assaulting Janelle Lee Chee and Gerard Bowrin, and using obscene language.
The charges stem from a fracas outside the nightclub at Keate Street, Port-of-Spain, on April 26, 2007. The trial began in 2008.