Mugshot of K’Shawn Walters. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — A St. Thomas man was charged with destruction of property as an act of domestic violence (DV), aggravated assault and battery/ DV, and disturbance of the peace/ DV after allegedly fighting with a minor and throwing items about the residence of the victims. The suspect also used a machete to damage items in the residence where the assault is said to have occurred, according to the probable cause fact sheet.
The suspect, 24-year-old K’Shawn Walters, appeared before Judge Carolyn Hermon-Percell on Friday while in the custody of the Bureau of Corrections. It was Walters' first contact with the criminal justice system.
According to the fact sheet, on July 15 at about 11:39 pm, officers were dispatched to a residence in which the suspect was attacking a minor and damaging items in the home. The female adult victim said Walters was drunk and began fighting the minor after the female adult asked the minor to relay a message to Walters. While Walters was on the phone with a young woman, the minor victim asked him to stop making noise as the adult victim had a headache.
The probable cause fact sheet said Walters began jumping on the washing machine and kicking it. During the physical struggle between the minor and the suspect, other items in the home were thrown, damaged and broken. According to the victims, Walters’ rage caused self-inflicted wounds to his hand. The minor victim also sustained a scratch to his hand and was prescribed medication, the fact sheet said. Walters also damaged a door with a machete.
Attorney John Barraco suggested a bail amount of $15,000 without the provision to post 10 percent on the grounds that it was unclear what the suspect could have done with the machete had he gotten into the bedroom. Instead, Walters damaged the bedroom door and frame with the machete.
In response, Judge Hermon-Percell said, “Life is always unclear. We can set conditions to ensure that he doesn’t go back there rather than setting his bail at $15,000 because you said you don’t know what he could have done with the machete.” She continued, “Money doesn’t prevent a person from doing something. It’s what can we do rather than keep him at the BOC. What can I do to ensure the safety of the alleged victims.’”
Additionally, the government was unable to speak with the female adult victim in the case, so Attorney Barraco was unable to state whether Walters was permitted back into the residence. If allowed to return, the court requested written permission from the female victim.
The following conditions were set for his release to ensure the safety of the alleged victims, bail was set at $1,000. Walters was ordered to have no contact with the victims. He also had 48 hours after release to inform the court of another residence. According to Judge Hermon-Percell, the court would reconsider allowing him to post 10 percent of the bail if he identifies a residence.
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