Soca star Machel Montano, and Zen beating victim Russell Pollonais both made statements to the press yesterday in Trinidad, to present their versions of that eventful night at Zen, which appears to be happening with greater frequency these days.
Montano gave a statement to the Belmont police and then proceeded to his press conference at Jean Pierre Complex where he further reiterated his innocence. His attorney, Anthony Vieira, and friend Maleka Gonsalves, who was dancing with Montano at the time the incident started, were also present. Meanwhile, Pollonais held a news conference in the offices of his attorney Anand Ramlogan."I was not the instigator of any of the actions that took place on that night and I have made no offer to settle anything with anybody," Montano said.
On the rumours of some sort of structured settlement between the two parties, Montano was very clear.
"No settlement offer has been made and my lawyers have not received any sort of invitation to settle from anyone. We are not even trying to settle this situation because we are claiming innocence."
"Firstly I did not burn anyone. Secondly I did not slap anyone. I did not hit anyone with a glass or a cup and definitely I did not knock out anybody," he said.
"There were also some reports that I took security there on that night. I did not take any security detail. I went with a few of my friends; we were continuing a night of celebrations. I did not have a large entourage that night with me either, the only people were my closest friends who I normally go to Zen with."
"A few of the things I've been hearing in the media which are not correct, I am not migrating out of Trinidad and Tobago, I am not leaving Trinidad and Tobago."
Pollonais on the other hand, gave no specifics when launching his accusations. This would appear suspicious, as Pollonais used the term "popular soca artiste" throughout his interactions with the local press. Why doesn't he just say Machel Montano? Pollonais said "We tried to apologize for the drink that spilled, but all he wanted that night was blood. It look like only when I was on the floor he (the soca artiste) was satisfied."
Pollonais, 24, a big fan of Machel Montano, was released from the Port Of Spain General Hospital on Monday, and was making his first statements to the press. He continued, "You cannot just beat up innocent people. You cannot expect to be above the law."
The one thing in common between both statements, is the cause of the conflict as both agree that the spilling of the drink on Machel, escalated the fracas quickly. What happened after that is where all the differences lie. Pollonais claimed that an entertainer slapped some girls while exiting Zen, which made the situation worst.
Pollonais said bodyguards took him by a car opposite the club. He said that was when his friend Brandis Brown approached the entertainer and asked him why he slapped the girl. He said the entertainer and about ten to 15 men began beating Brown. Pollonais said he managed to pull him away and they all began to run down Pembroke Street.
Pollonais said he realized two of his friends were missing and he ran back for them. On his way back, he was confronted by an entertainer. "I told him I don’t want no trouble. He (the soca entertainer) and about 15 men ran into me and started beating me. I was just blocking lash and I blacked out."
Pollonais said he still experiences headaches. He said he is awaiting the results of a CAT scan which was done while he was hospitalized.
