Trinidad magistrate adjourns sentencing of Machel Montano

A Magistrate Court has deferred until February 25, the sentencing of Trinidad and Tobago international Soca Star, Machel Montano, who was found guilty late last year of five criminal offences.

A number of artistes, performers as well as fans flocked to the court on Thursday where Magistrate Maureen Baboolal-Gafoor was due to hand down the sentencing on Montano as well as songwriter and producer Kernel Roberts, the son of deceased calypso legend Aldwyn “Kitchener” Roberts.

Montano had been found guilty of of assaulting Russel Pollonais and Brandis Brown.

Montano, 36, also faced additional charges of assaulting Janelle Lee Chee and Gerard Bowrin, and for using obscene language.

The charges stem from a fracas outside a nightclub in the capital on April 26, 2007. The four were first charged on June 4, 2007.

Montano is the headline act for several Carnival 2013 activities that end on Februray 12, including his own show “Machel Monday” scheduled for February 4.

He had previously assured fans that he would be performing this Carnival in the face of his court sentencing.

Roberts, the composer of several of Montano’s hits, was also found guilty on two charges of assault.

Lawyers representing the two men as well as from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions made legal submissions to the magistrate on whether or not the two convicted men can be sentenced to community service for the offences.

During the trial last year, state prosecutor George Busby questioned the tolerance level of Montano as it relates to him dealing with his fans on a constant basis and the likelihood of his becoming agitated when doing so.

Busby also stated that in Montano’s evidence, he testified that at times he would also become agitated when members of his band, The HD Family, made mistakes during their performances.

“So even after 30 years of making music and performing, he would still lose his temper when the band makes a mistake. So I find it unbelievable that on that night (of the incident) he would have been able to control himself at a time when he wanted to relax and mingle privately,” said the prosecutor.