Supreme Court Judge Lorna Shelly Williams on Wednesday refused bail to 65-year-old businessman Robert Bell, whose arrest followed a viral video showing him assaulting a nurse while brandishing a firearm.
The lawyer representing Bell, Christopher Townsend, confirmed that the decision hinged on concerns for his client’s safety in light of the video’s widespread circulation.
According to a Jamaica Observer report, Townsend explained that after the bail application was submitted to the court, the judge refused, indicating that it would be safer to let him remain locked up for now. However, bail may be granted in the future.
Townsend said, “She did, however, indicate that as soon as we have received all the documents, we are at liberty to make another bail application, which we will do. We will also address the question of his safety on that occasion.”
Bell must return to court on July 9. He stands charged with a range of offences: assault occasioning bodily harm, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, common-law assault, possessing a firearm with intent to commit a first-schedule offence, and possession of a firearm with intent to cause injury.
According to the police, the charges stem from an incident on Tuesday, May 13, at about 7:15 p.m. The victim, a nurse, was heading to work when Bell, driving a vehicle that blocked her path on Mt Friendship Road, became involved in a dispute with her. The viral footage captured Bell tussling with the nurse, pointing his gun at her, and repeatedly striking her, including stomping on her head.
The graphic video quickly caused nationwide outrage, prompting a large protest with scores of nurses speaking out on violence against women. The nation condemned the actions of the man. Many commenters expressed shock at the violence and concern for the nurse’s well-being. Viewers also called for him to be severely punished, such as by serving jail time for what appears to be an unprovoked attack.