Mentally-ill St Elizabeth farmer granted bail after 25 years in custody
Published:Friday | July 3, 2020 | 12:00 AM
Abraham Lawrence, the mentally-ill St Elizabeth farmer who had been behind bars for 25 years, was today granted $10,000 bail when he appeared in the St Elizabeth Parish Court.
Attorney-at-law, Yushaine Morgan, who is representing the 49-year-old accused, argued before presiding judge, Justice Ann-Marie Granger, that considering the length of time his client has spent in custody and the fact that family members are willing to take care of him, Lawrence should be offered bail.
In agreement, Granger granted bail and released Lawrence to the custody of his brother.
The court also ordered that Lawrence be taken to a psychiatrist next Thursday and brought before the Santa Cruz Parish Court the following day.
He is expected to be freed.
Lawrence, who resides in Huntley Castle, Pisgah, St Elizabeth, was arrested and charged in 1994 after he reportedly smashed a window of a police service vehicle during a dispute with men in his community.
- Hopeton Bucknor
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