Machel Montano guilty on charges of assault and using obscene language - Trinidad Guardian

Soca artiste Machel Montano was this morning found guilty of five criminal offences.

 

Montano was found guilty on four charges of assault against Gerard Bowrin, Brandis Browne, Janelle Lee Chee and Russell Pollonais. The charges arose out of a fracas outside the Zen nightclub in Port of Spain in April 2007. Montano was also found guilty of using obscene language during the same incident.

 

Montano is Groovy Soca Monarch, Power Soca Monarch and Road March king.

 

Also charged with Montano were Kernel Roberts, Joel "Zan" Fezeck and Rodney "Benjai" LeBlanc.

 

Roberts, son of legendary Calypso icon Lord Kitchener and composer of several of Montano's hit songs, was also found guilty on two charges of assault.

 

Benjai, who was charged with one offence of assault and Fezeck, who was charged with two offences of assault, were each found not guilty.

 

Fezeck is a member of Montano's HD Family, while Benjai is an entertainer popularly known as "the people's champion".

 

Magistrate Maureen Baboolal-Gafoor, presiding in the Port of Spain Seventh Court, this morning delivered her decision to a packed courtroom, which included Montano's mother and several members of his entourage.

 

The matter has been adjourned to January 17, 2013.

 

Montano and Roberts remain out on bail pending the sentencing.