Jury frees security guard accused of stabbing co-worker

A security guard accused of stabbing his colleague multiple times in the neck during a workplace dispute was on Monday found not guilty of wounding with intent in the Home Circuit Court.

Travaine Bogle, 35, was acquitted by a seven-member jury following a week-long trial before Justice Ann-Marie Lawrence-Grainger.

“Bogle [maintained] his innocence from the inception of these charges and is elated that the sword of Damocles has finally been lifted and he can move on with his life. we are elated that the jury system is alive and well,” said his attorney, Matthew Hyatt.

The case stemmed from an incident on December 24, 2021, at a factory in Kingston, where the complainant, also a security guard, alleged that he was in the guardroom changing his uniform when Bogle used a broken glass bottle to inflict several stab wounds to the back of his neck and left hand.

The complainant claimed that there had been no prior dispute, argument, or malice between himself and Bogle before the incident.

However, Bogle, in his defence, gave a different account, insisting that he acted in self-defence. He claimed the complainant was the aggressor and that he feared for his life, prompting him to use a broken bottle to protect himself.

The dispute reportedly arose after Bogle relieved a male co-worker of his shift and was subsequently teased and called homosexual.

It is alleged that Bogle responded by telling the complainant that he bathed at Coronation Market and “no live no wey”. The complainant then reportedly flung a marker at him, and the two became involved in a tussle which escalated into a fight.

During the altercation, the complainant allegedly placed Bogle in a chokehold, after which Bogle used a broken bottle to stab him in the neck.

Justice Lawrence-Grainger, in her summation, pointed to several discrepancies and inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case that were exposed during cross-examination of its witnesses.

A medical certificate submitted into evidence confirmed that the complainant sustained stab wounds to the back of the neck consistent with injuries caused by a sharp instrument.

Following deliberations, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty.

Editor's Note: The caption accompanying a photo in a previous version of this story included offences for which Mr Bogle was not charged. The Gleaner apologies for the error.

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.