Mugshot of Jamar Malik Carter. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — A male resident of Texas allegedly assaulted a female victim by dragging her and punching her in the face at the Windward Passage Hotel early Wednesday morning during a verbal argument that turned physical.
Twenty-four-year-old Jamar Malik Carter appeared before Judge Carolyn Hermon-Percell while in the custody of the Bureau of Corrections on Wednesday morning for his advisement hearing.
Judge Hermon-Percell found probable cause to charge Mr. Carter with the following: Simple assault as an act of domestic violence, and disturbing the peace by fighting as an act of domestic violence.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, two officers were dispatched to the hotel at approximately 1:21 a.m. on Wednesday to respond to an assault. The victim told police that a verbal argument stemming from jealousy turned physical while they were on the way back to Windward Passage. Officers observed cuts and bruises to her neck area and right arm, however, the victim refused medical attention. She gave a limited statement to officers and told them that it was the first time Mr. Carter ever got physical with her.
Most of the details of the assault were relayed by Windward Passage Hotel security guard Heather Hopkins. Ms. Hopkins said she observed the suspect punching the victim in her face and dragging the victim across the parking lot and Veteran Drive causing two vehicles to halt and assist. The suspect verbally threatened to throw the victim into the water of the waterfront. Other guests were said to observe Mr. Carter pushing the victim’s head into a metal pole in the parking lot. The fact sheet went on to state that guests were yelling from the balcony to stop hitting her, but he did not cease.
The suspect was apprehended at the Edward Wilmoth Blyden IV Marine Terminal. He admitted to a verbal altercation and grabbing the victim by her right hand, but he denied hitting, punching, and dragging her.
In reference to Mr. Carter’s contact with the criminal justice system and whether he is a danger to the community, “it appears that he was charged less than a month ago with a similar [domestic violence] case in Texas, and he has admitted to the officer of having anger management issues,” said Attorney John Barraco.
Given the facts of the case and the suspect’s contact with the criminal justice system, Attn. Barraco requested a $1,000 bail without the provision to post 10 percent.
Attorney Julie Todman of the Office of the Public Defender argued that Mr. Carter hopes to stay away from the victim and leave the jurisdiction to return to Texas as he had travel plans for Wednesday. However, Judge Hermon-Percell ordered that the following be submitted to the court before granting Mr. Carter permission to leave the district: waiver of extradition, copy of travel itinerary, proof of residence in Texas, proof of employment, and a telephone number.
Additionally, the judge ordered that Mr. Carter be released after posting fifteen percent of $1,000 (or $150). He was ordered to secure a separate residence from the victim while in the St. Thomas-St. John district and was forbidden to make contact with the victim. The suspect and victim do not reside together in Texas, according to Ms. Todman.
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