Paris Hilton checked herself into prison on Sunday evening, two days before the scheduled date, finally proving to everyone who had enough of the young, rich and seemingly entitled clique that as a “celebrity” she was not immune to the rules of law. Though far removed from anything remotely Trini I cannot help but compare Ms. Hilton to Mr. Montano, Machel that is, because as Trinidad’s number one soca artiste he too could not escape the charges leading out of the fracas at Zen nightclub. Yesterday Machel Montano was slapped with five charges and released on a $50,000.00 bail. The charges are:
- It is alleged that Machel Montano, Kernel Roberts and Joel Fezeck on April 26 at Keate Street, Port-of-Spain, assaulted Brandis Brown, occasioning actual bodily harm.
- It is also alleged that on April 26, all three and Rodney Le Blanc assaulted Russell Pollonais outside Zen nightclub, occasioning actual bodily harm.
- Montano has been charged with unlawfully assaulting Jenelle Le Chee and Gerard Bowrin at the nightclub.
- He has also been charged with using obscene language outside Zen.
I have to admit it came as a surprise to learn that Machel was actually charged for this incident. We often hear rumors about celebrities behaving badly, but then it appears that they never suffer any repercussions for these alleged actions as no one ever comes forward to separate fact from fiction. The thoroughness of the police in investigating the Zen incident has me wondering if they too got fed up of hearing all the rumours and decided to seek “the truth” or if coming on the heels of the Danah Alleyene and Akon drama that the police were forced by public scrutiny to look past the fame and treat Machel as they would any other citizen accused of such wrongdoings.
As this case plays out in the next few weeks it would be interesting to see just how much like John Public Mr. Monatno will be treated. Evidence of his fame having influence was apparent; he appeared at court sans handcuffs and was transported in a “special” vehicle reserved for high profile figures. For his sake I hope the legal system metes him some speedy treatment or the case might be tied up in the courts for months, if not years, like all the many cases that become entwined in the loopholes of Trinidad’s justice system. If the case does reach to the high court, here is hoping Mr Montano has a very, very good lawyer because if fate deals him the same verdict as Paris Hilton what a sobering Carnival 2008 will be…no stage and no Machel? Perish the thought!
As this case plays out in the next few weeks it would be interesting to see just how much like John Public Mr. Monatno will be treated. Evidence of his fame having influence was apparent; he appeared at court sans handcuffs and was transported in a “special” vehicle reserved for high profile figures. For his sake I hope the legal system metes him some speedy treatment or the case might be tied up in the courts for months, if not years, like all the many cases that become entwined in the loopholes of Trinidad’s justice system. If the case does reach to the high court, here is hoping Mr Montano has a very, very good lawyer because if fate deals him the same verdict as Paris Hilton what a sobering Carnival 2008 will be…no stage and no Machel? Perish the thought!
