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Left: Kernel Roberts, Zan, Machel, Machel’s Father, Elizabeth and Marcus Montano
Bail has been granted for the sum of $50.000 to entertainer Machel Montano who was slapped with five charges arising out of a brawl at the Zen nightclub in Port of Spain on April 26, 2007.
Also charged and placed on bail were Kernal Roberts whose bail was fixed at $25.000, Joel “Zan” Fezeck $50,000, and Rodney “Benjai” Le Blanc $30,000.
The Soca four are expected to reappear in court on June 12th 2007. SC Dana Deetahal is representing Montano and she said her client was anxious to have the case started in July since he has travel engagements in August.
It is alleged that Montano and his entourage got into a brawl with several persons at the Zen club. The brawl continued outside the Zen night club and one of the patrons, Russell Pollonais of Princess Town, was beaten unconscious by Montano and his entourage.
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
HI
My name is Janice Dick from England London. I’m emailing in regards to the above incident that took place on the Morning of 26/4/2007. I was one of the English ladies that came to Trinidad for my mother’s wedding. The in-laws of the family decided to take me and the 2 other English ladies that I travelled with to have a night out in one of the top clubs in Trinidad which was Zen…
When we arrived at the club we were all having a nice time when Machel and his entourage entered the building and made themselves noticed. To be honest I didn’t quite know who he was till one of my cousin in laws Melissa told me that was Machel Mantano and he sang a song I was familiar with. I think its called “one last wine”, from that I knew who he was.
Anyway, we was still continuing to enjoy the evening which I even took a photo with Machel and ended up talking with one of his bodyguards by the name of Jason who later on gave me his telephone number.
I wasn’t feeling too well so I started to sit on the steps as I hadn’t been feeling good all evening. I then rose when I started to see a little crowd gathering together. As I stood up I saw Machel slap my step-brother Jerry in the face. At this point I never knew what had occurred. I then ran down to the middle bar to get my step-brother out of the mix up, by the time I reached the Zen bodyguards was already surrounding the people I was with. They then proceeded to push them out of the club. At this point all I wanted to do was ask Machel why he had slapped Jerry. I approached him and he told me that “he had spilled a drink on his companion.” I then told him “that we apologised and there’s was no need for this argument.” He didn’t really want to hear what I was saying and continued to swear and be offensive to me. He then stated that if I didn’t move he would “go and get a gun and shoot me and then spray everyone outside.” When he said this to me I was then very shocked and frightened as I didn’t think a celebrity of his status would be behaving this way, especially when we were all enjoying ourselves moments before. It was then I realised how drunk he was. I then went outside and spoke to the owner of the club who was quite nice and he said that he didn’t want to put us out but he wanted to calm the trouble. I then went to speak to the other 13 people I came with as I was the oldest. I kind of felt responsible for my new in laws even though I am not from Trinidad. As we were all calming down outside the club, Machel came out and went straight past me on the stairs and went straight into the crowd where my family was and began fighting again. I then ran down the stairs and pulled Jerry out as he is only 18 years and I assumed Machel and his crew were big men. I then pulled Jerry to one side and then shouted to my other companions from England to come with me as I knew all the other girls were trying to get everyone out and then went along side the street of Zen Nightclub with Jerry and Selina my sister and Sam my best friend who also travelled with me. I kept turning around and stopping as I wanted to make sure everyone was coming. I then saw Russell, one of the guys who I went with which is my cousin in laws boyfriend, he was waving to others to come down the road we was on. Within moments I saw mob crowd go towards Russell and surround him. Moments later one of Jerry’s friends then came and told us that Russell was unconscious. I then ran up to see if I could help, to then find Russell in the back of the ambulance being taken to hospital.
The reason for emailing is that I think people over there have forgotten that there was English Victims in all this and as I cannot speak for others, I felt very let down by the soca star and the authority service over there and felt that my holiday was ruined as it just began. Due to this I had to spend the evening of the night after the incident in the hospital with my in laws and then the next day I spent the whole day [with] the Belmont police which was quite distressing as not only did I have to give a lengthy statement but also feared being snapped by the newspapers. After that we no longer went out in the evening to another club and also people would stop us and ask us if we were the English lot that got into a confrontation with Machel which wasn’t nice because you didn’t know if people would like us or hate us as I am sure he has loyal fans. I have now returned to England but still that night haunts all of us and brings back terrible memories. I hope this matter will be sorted out as soon as possible and I am willing to help in any way I can to assist in this matter.
Many thanks for hearing my side of the story even though I have shortened it as that night seemed to go on forever.
Janice Dick
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Zen fracas case pushed back
By Andre Bagoo : June 13 2007
Machel Montano will go on tour in August and the preliminary inquiry into the alleged Zen nightclub fracas on April 26 has been pushed back to September 12.
Also Read:
Machel and 3 get bail for Zen fracas
trinidadexpress.com
Machel Montano in Brawl at Zen Over Spilled Drink
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog’s URL for this article:
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog/?p=266
With reference to what Ms Dick statement says,first I want to apoligize as a Trinidadian about what happened on your trip and on behalf of Mr. Montano as a loyal fan. After reading your statement, there is really two sides to a story and as you said you were not feeling well and you were to the side when you saw the group of people and your cousin involved you went to the scene and you even asked Machel what had happened and he responded that the person spilled a drink on his companion, but you never saw the how it started. You are right, that the extent of damage done and still being done is definitely not called for. Machel should’ve let it go once the other party in the struggle left the premises. My point is as a person regardless as a superstar or the President Machel Montano is human. Everytime Machel goes somewhere people always point him out, as a star if he’s liked or as an enemy if not. As a human he reacted like any man would react,if someone spills their drink on their female companion. Machel might have a bad temper and as a loyal fan I pray that the worse case scenario that he gets to seek anger management therapy, as he has so much at stake. I pray for your cousin in law who was injured and hope that Machel will face his responsibilities as usual and compensate Russell for any damages and loss of income due to his injuries. Also, you were able to identify Machel as he was pointed out to you by someone local who knows him, but you fail to mention the others associates that were with him. Again I apologize for this whole fiasco but still remember God forgave us and all I ask that you find it in your heart to forgive Machel.
Regards
TMC of Carnarsie, Brooklyn
HEllo i am repsonding to stacia clark’s report. Thank you for apologising on behlaf of machel even though i feel he should be doing the aplogy himself seen as i was on hoilday and after the inicdent my hoilday was ruined, anyway you mentioned that i didnt name any other names thats because i didnt know who there where i did speak to them before this happened but didnt know there names so i can only tell the truth about what happened i cannot therefore name names that i dont know. i can do in this matter is pray for them all..
Mrs Stacia Clark who really cared about what Mr. Montano has to lose?
who cares is he rots in jail till he fifty the full extent of the law is what he should face and nothing less. Mr. Montano being a superstar should maybe learn to show a better example and Mr. Montano having attended many parties should know that stuff happens and drinks are spilled and shoe are marshed and people are even tried by accident. And this isnt the frist time something like this has happen with Mr. Montano i can vividly remerber Mr. Montano kicking up a guy in peir 1 parking lot for cursing him after Mr. Montano was kinda speeding outta the car park.
I ARGEE WITH WEAPON X WHEN YOU ATTEND A PARTY YOU MUST REALISE THAT DRINKS WILL BE SPILLT AND PEOPLE WILL KNOCK INTO ONE ANOTHER.
HE DIDNT GO THE THE VIP BIT WHERE IT WAS EMPTY HE CAME RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CROWD AND WHEN HIS CREW KNEW THAT WE WERE ENGLISH THEY WHERE AROUND US MORE AND HE STILL DIDNT LEAVE.
IT WAS MY DRINK THAT FELL ON HIM FIRST WHICH I APOLOGISED AS SOMEONE KNOCKED ME AND MY HAND JILTED. AND HE DIDNT SEEM HAPPY ABOUT THAT SO IF YOU WAS A CELEBRITY AND YOU WANTED YOUR OWN PARTY WOULDNT GO TO THE VIP SECTION?, HE JUST CAUSED ALL THAT TROUBLE FOR ABSOULTELY NOTHING. AND I FEEL LET DOWN BY HIM AND ASHAMED. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANKS FOR THOSE WHO SUPPORT THAT VIOLENCE IS WORNG NOT MATTER WHO YOU ARE
Hi Editor
I am Janice Dick Mother.
My daughter came to Trinidad as a maid of honour my wedding with my friends and family from London England. Tt was her frist time we were born in England from grenadian parents. It was my second time in your country.
I am a soca fan and I have been a fan of this artist snice he was a child. I am appalled that if you are rich & famous, that you have the right to go round and abuse and insult people who is putting money in your pocket when you feel like it and expect to get away from it.
There has been so much incdent reports about the soca artist and apprantately he has got away with it. I urge the Trinidad goverment please do not let him get away with this incdent we must have justice.
They say money talks and bullshit walks. We are all human beings with feelings.
Many regards
Mrs Patsy Bowrin
Machel in court again
By Indarjit Seuraj
Wednesday 13th June, 2007
http://www.guardian.co.tt/
Soca superstar Machel Montano reappeared before Port-of-Spain Fifth Court Magistrate Maureen Baboolal-Gafoor yesterday to answer assault charges arising out of a fracas at the Zen nightclub in April.
Also appearing alongside Montano were entertainers Joel “Zan” Fezeck and Rodney “Benjai” Le Blanc, and song writer/ producer and son of the calypso grandmaster Lord Kitchener, Kernel Roberts.
Baboolal-Gafoor read the first charge in which all four are jointly charged with assaulting Russell Pollonais, and occasioning actual bodily harm on April 26.
When the matter was called yesterday, prosecutor Sgt Kazim Ali informed the court that he had not received recommendations on the nature of that charge which was laid indictably.
He said it was uncertain whether a State attorney would be appointed in the matter although the file had been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Meanwhile, attorney for Montano, Dana Seetahal, SC, requested copies of medical reports as well as statements given by the virtual complainants.
Montano is also accused of assaulting Brandis Brown and faces three additional charges of unlawfully assaulting Jenelle Le Chee and Gerard Bowrin and using obscene language.
Seetahal also requested copies of extracts of the Belmont station diary pertaining to the accused.
She was also granted an extended adjournment to September 12, to facilitate for the August tour of Montano and his Xtatic band.
Roberts and Fezeck are charged with assaulting Brown and Pollonais, while Le Blanc is facing only one charge of assaulting Pollonais.
Roberts’ attorney Keith Scotland expressed readiness to start the matter. He (Scotland) is joined by attorney Daniel Khan.
Attorneys Rajiv Persad, John Heath and Shalini Khan represent Le Blanc, while Larry Williams appears for Fezeck.
Cpl Siagal Siewlal of the Belmont Police Station charged the accused.
©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited
I have been reading about the Machel incident. I have seen Machel perform with Allison HInds who was fantastic, at last years Nottinghill London Carnival. I love soca music and travel to listen to great reggae, soca and all but the incident leaves a bad taste in your mouth. I have accidently spilled a drink during a Sherwayne Winchester show in Trinidad, jumping up, and the girl shot me a bad eye look, I apologized of course and we all kept dancing. In London, at the above mentioned show, my son , who I was introducing to live great Caribbean music, had a drink accidently spilled on him, dancing, and he shot me an irritated look, but it did not accumulate in blows. The power music has to unite and to uplift, empower and to change you, should never be compromised by violence. After reading different people’s reports on different incidences regarding Machal I feel bad for the people who were victims of violence, and for Machal too. Everybody has to be accountable, I did this, you did that etc. we all are human, but unfortunately, in the limelight and the biz of music, there is greater visibility of the star, so perhaps Machal will reflect on what happened, and do what is right by his own mind. Anger is an emotion that steam rolls over everything good, all that will be forgotten, the great show, the great singing, the great performance, and all that will be remembered is the violence.
Dear jan sorry your holidays were spoiled by such a great artist, how ever don,t let it put you off from going to tnt again. Tnt is such a lovely place, and people can be really nice. I do think that the artist involed should be punished as he should of known better. Hope your cousin is better. As for you P congrats on your wedding, myself and family wish you all the best. JO. (LONDON)
I’m a big fan of Machel and to me there are two sides of this story..Lets not forget that this guy has a lot of money therefore it does make him a target.i think if this happened to someone by someone who is a noone there wouldn’t be any story.
I’m not totally taking his side but from what i heard he wasn’t the one at fault..i guess we ol have our own views hey.If people start asking for money then to me that there shows our motivations rite.What if as someone normal he just apologised? would that make things alrite?Didn’t think so, i bet the money his gonna give you is more than what yu had to pay for your hospital bills nice ha. Then again he’s man enuff to take care of his responsiblities just hope people don’t drug his name down the drain after ol his only human hey..except with more money than others…
So leave the guy alone i’m sure there are other pressing issues in the world…
Your excuses are BS Stacie and Norie. There might be two sides to this story, but piecing together what has come out shows Monatano to be right up there with the other jerks who believe that their celebrity status gives them the right to do as they please. I am tired of these supercilious excuses always funneled out to rationalize the conduct of louts. His Humanity my ass. What about the humanity of the people who pay to go into those places that pay him to perform.
Machel Montano has not invented a cure for aids, he has not saved a dozen kids from a burning building, he has not done anything that merits the kind of hero worship clearly evident in this defense of his conduct. He behaved like a jerk, and let’s stop the BS and make it plain. I will be damned if I will allow the fact that someone can belt out suggestive lyrics while holding a fine melody and tune, to usurp my consciousness for what is right and what is wrong. Montano behaved like a lout period. And maybe that is what he is.
Trial date for Machel
A MAGISTRATE yesterday fixed trial dates to hear the criminal case of assault against soca stars Machel Montano, Joel “Zan” Fezeck, Kernel Roberts and Rodney “Benjai” Le Blanc.
Court hears of fracas outside Zen
MACHEL MONTANO, 32, was yesterday in court identified as being among a group of men who flung a man across a road and onto a car before each punching him outside of Club Zen (formerly De Luxe Cinema) during an April 2007 fracas in which they also each punched and kicked another man to the floor.
Machel slapped me, says witness
ONE of the victim’s who claimed to have been beaten by soca star Machel Montano took the stand yesterday at the beginning of the trial.
HI again
its janice dick here.
its been a year on and still this machel thing is going on i now have been told that my name appeared in the express on the 3rd june08 with reference to the case when janelle lee chee my cousin in law was question on the case in court. i think that if i am going to be talked about on my statement i should therefore be called to give evidence in this matter.
Also to the above statements firstly thanks to everyone for there support to me and my family and secondly i have not till this day asked machel or his assoicates for any money and will not be doing so i just want the truth to come out and all to hear what happened to me and the rest of my family as this was wrong!!
Machel victim shielded friend
RUSSELL Pollonias used his body to shield his friend Brandis Browne from blows being inflicted on him by a group of men, which included soca star Machel Montano, in an attack outside Club Zen on Keate Street, Port-of-Spain, in April, last year.
Machel’s victim: I may have been drunk
ONE of the main witnesses testifying against soca superstar Machel Montano and three other entertainers charged with assault offences, yesterday admitted there was a possibility he may have been drunk at the club during the fracas at the Zen nightclub, last year.
WELL TODAY IS JULY 17TH 2008 I’VE HEARD BOUT THIS INCIDENT BUT NEVER AS MUCH AS I READ TODAY.IT’S TWO DAYS AWAY FROM MACHEL PERFORMING IN ANGUILLA,I’M SO HYPE CAH MACHEL IS THE MAN AND I’VE ALWAYS SAID THAT MACHEL MY HUSBAND,I HAVE MUCH LOVE FOR HIM.BUT COME ON RIGHT IS RIGHT AND WRONG IS WRONG, DRINK GET SPILT ON YOU,YOU GET VEX AND GET OVER IT,SOMEONE WALKS ON UR FOOT YOU HOLD DEM SO THEY CAN REALISE THEY’RE ON YOUR FOOT THEN YOU GET OVER IT.HOW MUCH HURT TOES I DONT COMPLAIN OF DURING CARNIVAL TIME.IT IS LIFE.I WOULD EXPECT THAT FROM SOME ILLITERATE PERSON DAT HAD NO KIND OF LOVING AT HOME..MACHEL IS HUMAN BUT AS A FAMOUS ARTISTE SUCH AS MACHEL WHO EVERYONE LOOKS UP TO AND WHO HAS HIS MOTHER AT HIS SIDE.THATS SO WRONG AND IT’S UTTER DIS-RESPECT…..IMMA HAVE FUN JULY 19TH MACHEL MONTANO LONGSIDE PATRICE ROBERTS
First off i am a big fan of Machel Montano. I have been to many of his shows and i happen to think he is great. Now i agree there are two sides to every story and all but both sides are at fault. Machel is wrong for throwing blows at the fella and the fella and the gyal could have just apologize and gwan about they buisness. No sense in arguing and insulting each other what will happen will happen and what has happen has happen just dont make it happen again. JAH BLESS
There are two sides to the story; then again three. Montano’s and Janice Dick’s friends. Janice, what if when Jerry spilled the drink on Machel’s companion he did not apoligize. Or if he did apoligize in was not in a sincere manner. That still does not warrant an ass whipping of that magnitude but one can see why if alcohol was involved–an apparently it may have been. Sometimes it’s all about the way we communicate. Machel on the other hand should have been more reserved and excersise more restraint especaily in the company of a female. I’ve seen men like Carl Jacobs and Ronnie McIntosh handled similar situations with so much diplomacy it was simply marveling; the former in New York and the latter in a St. Johns fete with Ronnie accompanied by over 40+ friends and much under the influence than Carlie. The Elders need to really rap to Machel because that attitude could bring about his demise in swift fashion.
One quick question not relevant to the subject at hand. Why does Machel–and it’s quite OK–always to joint projects featuring these overseas artist but they never do projects featuring him?? Why?
Don’t forget your roots Montano like you forget the horns and wicked bass the was–by all means–the driving point of you music originally.
Before I forget. The third side, THE TRUTH
Not bad at all. Local Soca artist brad Millionaires in like manner to their numerous international Hip Hop , as well as Jamaican Yardee Dance Hall counterparts , are also trying to get their street credentials up by behaving and or encouraging similar thuggish and often criminal behaviors ,in an effort to appeal to a degenerative segments of our population and one can still believe , to sell records. How pathetic , and unnecessary.!
One would believe that in this day and age privileged ,creative folks like these would recognize and appreciate the influence and power they possess .
If you can sway 30,000 folks in a live concert to do as you wish at the drop of a flag ,think of the possibilities for Trinidad and Tobago, the wider Caribbean , and global Community at large , if we can convert a Marshall Montano, Bunji , or Iware into a Bob Gildof or Buno in terms of socially concious developmental actions- while still making their much valued ‘paper.’
By the way ,I hope three times Road March Monarch and new Soca hero Fay- Ann aka Princess Super Blue and the baby is safe at Mt Hope Hospital, . Loosing a child or perhaps one’s life due to disobedience to doctors orders might be a steep price to pay in order to prove that pregnancy is no inhibitor to gyrating , and gender equality is alive and well in sweet T&T.
What a country and people !
Ahh the British , let’s blame them once more for destroying the minds of slaves and their decedents . Wasn’t it the English statesman Thomas Cromwell/ Earl of Essex ,who developed the philosophy that “ the end justify the means?” Perhaps our local artist didn’t waste all their time in school and aren’t that dumb after all , or are they? Let’s check the pudding for the proof before eating eh!
I agree with Norie. Heard a different story. These people playing fo r some of Machel’s money. He was a human reacting just as u or anybody would. These people from south should be truthful and tell the truth.
I’ve read this story over and over again, I’ve heard some little “twat” and I’ll say her name Jenelle LeeChee “BOASTING” that she and her family had Machel in court. Now it all becomes clearer that it was not just a drink being spilled as explained by the so called victim. It’s all about the MONEY!!!! and everyone knows it!!!!!