Former Reggae Boy to face court in US on assault charges

Former Jamaican international Jorginho James is set to appear in a Texas court next month after he was charged with violating the terms of his bail following an alleged assault on his wife Crystal James in August.

In a viral video which surfaced on Wednesday a man is seen hitting a woman while a toddler watched. He then fled the scene.

James, who made his international debut for Jamaica at the age of 17 back in 2012, has been facing a string of legal issues dating back to earlier this year.

He first appeared in the Harris County District Court back in March to answer to a felony assault charge.

The court document stated that James was arrested on March 4 for “unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly causing bodily injury to Crystal James, hereafter styled the complainant, a member of the defendant’s family, by impeding the normal breathing and circulation of blood of the complainant by applying pressure to the complainant’s throat.”

James was released on a US$7,500 bail for the initial felony charge and was required to wear an ankle monitor by the court.

In July, he filed for a change in his bail agreement and requested the removal of the mandated ankle monitor.

James worked as a youth development coach at Pearland Soccer Club in Texas and submitted a letter from his employers which stated his employment was at risk if the ankle monitor was not removed by the start of the season.

“Recently we made some modifications to group and training format to afford you to continue to be a part of the player development process over the off season,” the letter stated. “As we move into the regular season and you will be expected to interact with several players in the training environment, we will not be able to make the same accommodations.”

The letter continued, “As a result, the club intends to terminate your role as a player development coach on the season start date of July 24, 2024, if the monitoring device is still in effect. The club will reconsider you for reinstatement after the device is removed and you are able to execute in the environment, in uniform.”

The request was granted, but while out on bail James was again arrested and charged with violation of a bond condition as well as a second felony assault charge after an alleged incident with his wife in August.

The incident was caught on camera and a bail of US$20,000 was set.

James was again released on bail on Monday of this week and now awaits his date in court set for October 28.

In his senior international debut for Jamaica on February 22, 2012, James went on as a substitute in the 82nd minute in a friendly match against Cuba and scored five minutes later.