As reported earlier, it is now official that Machel Montano, Kernel Robert, Benjai and Zan have been charged for assault in connection with the beating of Russell Pollonais and Brandis Brown at Zen nightclub in Trinidad recently in addition to assaulting Jenelle Le Chee and Gerard Bowrin and using obscene language.
Montano's lawyer Dana Seetahal SC informed the court that Montano had already been granted bail at the Port of Spain CID "in the sum of $50,000...to cover all charges".The other three men were also treated similarly and granted $50,000 bail. The court was also told that entertainment promoter Roy Maraj would be the one securing Montano's bail. Roy Maraj, Montano, Kernel and others were recently discussed in being a so-called "soca mafia" in Trinidad and Tobago.
Kernel Roberts, whose bail was set at the same sum, had his reduced to a $25,000 cash bail after his lawyer Daniel Khan informed the court that there was an outstanding mortgage on the property he intended to use.
Rodney "Benjai" Le Blanc, who is facing only one charge of assaulting Pollonais, was placed on $30,000, while Joel "Zan" Fezeck had his bail fixed at $50,000 for the two charges of assaulting Brown and Pollonais.
All four are expected to return to court on June 12, and Montano's lawyer, Dana Seetahal, SC, said her client was anxious to have the case started sometime in July, since he has travel engagements in August.
The charges in full read:
- 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.
