By Glenroy Sinclair and Germaine Smith, Staff Reporters
Deejays Ninja Man (right) and Vybz Kartel greet each other yesterday, four days after their much-publicised brawl at the popular stage show, Sting, at the Jam World Entertainment Centre, St. Catherine. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
FOLLOWING LAST Saturday's bottle throwing melee and on stage 'slug-fest' which brought the 2003 Sting concert to a premature end, five persons, including popular entertainers Ninja Man and Vybz Kartel, have been arrested and charged.
The men were charged yesterday at the Flying Squad Headquarters in downtown Kingston after a meeting with several high-level police officers. The 38-year-old Ninja Man, whose real name is Desmond Ballentine, has been charged with assault occasioning grievous bodiy harm and disorderly conduct while Kartel has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and disorderly conduct.
But while Ninja Man was immediately released on a $15,000 station bail, the 27-year-old Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, and several members of his entourage, up to press time last night, were locked behind bars at the Central Police Station in downtown Kingston. They are reportedly being held in connection with two murders. Police sources say the men would be questioned today.
SETTLED DIFFERENCES
Before they were charged, the two deejays told reporters that they had settled their differences and were no longer at war. "We done hold a private reasoning with Ninja already from yesterday, but today we just want Jamaica to know seh we sorry," Kartel said. "Tempers flared and we just got out of control. We were wrong and we accept full responsibility."
Ninja Man, on the other hand, explained that they settled everything peacefully because the implications of their fight were serious. "Right ya now due to wha happen a Sting it put a serious dent inna di music. It was a serious ting so we haffi settle it," he said.
The others charged with disorderly conduct were identified as Anthony Wright, 23, alias "Singer Blinger", Patrick Samuels, 27, alias "Roache", and Jules Watson, 27, alias "Roger", who are all part of Kartel's entourage.
Deputy Commissioner Lucius Thomas said Kartel was charged with breaches of Town and Community Act, the Firearm Act and disorderly conduct. The circumstances under which he got a firearm permit are now being investigated.
HALLOW POINT AMMUNITION
"He was found with hallow point ammunition," said DCP Thomas. "The circumstances under which he got these type of cartridges are being investigated."
Earlier this year concerns were raised by citizens, who spoke with members of the Police High Command, through the Private Sector of Jamaica (PSOJ) phone sessions, about the number of unscrupulous persons being granted firearm permits. Responding to the citizens concern, Police Commissioner Francis Forbes ordered an audit of firearm permits, which resulted in a number of firearm licences being revoked.
In 2002 Commissioner Forbes disclosed that over 100 cases were audited and based on recommendations, he was in the process of revoking the permits of a number of licensed firearm holders. He also stressed that internal or criminal actions will be taken against the officers who granted the permits.
