L. Collins

The defendant was charged with assault causing bodily harm following an incident with his intimate partner.

The complainant alleged the defendant slapped her multiple times and punched her in the eye, causing facial injuries.

The defendant testified that the complainant's injuries resulted from her accidental fall as she ran from the apartment.

The trial judge found the complainant's evidence unreliable due to multiple inconsistencies, contradictions, and misrepresentations regarding her alcohol consumption, the apartment ransacking, and other material facts.

Despite the complainant's injuries, the judge found the defendant's account plausible and consistent, and acquitted him based on reasonable doubt.

The defendant was charged with assault with a weapon following an incident on February 27, 2014, in which the complainant alleged the defendant struck her with a rum bottle, causing lacerations to her left ear.

The defendant denied striking the complainant and testified that the injury resulted from an accidental fall onto broken glass during a struggle over the bottle.

The trial judge found that while the complainant's account was facially reliable, the physical evidence and forensic findings were more consistent with the defendant's version of events.

The judge concluded that reasonable doubt existed as to the defendant's guilt and acquitted him of the charge.