Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

The two men who assaulted a man who refused to heed warnings not to dance with a married woman during the August Emancipation Festival are no longer facing criminal charges.

The woman's husband, Camille Parris and his friend, Vezan Scatliffe were charged with wounding Gregory Alvarez and reappeared in court yesterday, September 28 where the crown informed the court that following points raised by Attorney-at-Law Stephen Daniels, they decided to drop the charges.

Prosecutor Leslie Ann Faulkner said they reviewed the file in its entirety and the office decided not to proceed with the matter.

Magistrate Tamia Richards then dismissed the charges.

The men said they intend to return to the BVI next festival.

Parris is a Belonger who was born in the Territory, but resides in St. John where he owns a business, while Scatliffe is a US born citizen with BVI parents. Scatliffe resides in St. Thomas and is a Sergeant in the USVI Fire Department.

According to court records, Parris, his wife and the friend came over to the BVI from the United States Virgin Islands for the festival activities. The court heard that about 3:00 am on August 4, Alvarez was at the Road Town Village and went over to where Parris and his wife were standing.

The Prosecution pointed out that Alvarez then attempted to dance with Parris' wife, but she refused to dance with him. According to allegations, Mr. Parris intervened and said to Alvarez, "What you doing? Not my wife."

It was noted that Alvarez continued to pursue Mrs. Parris, who ignored him and stepped away; however, he then went to where Mrs. Parris had relocated and got close to her so that their bodies touched.

Mrs. Parris related that she attempted to make him move away from her. The Prosecution indicated that Alvarez appeared unhappy that he was being ignored and then threw the drink from his glass in Mrs. Parris' face. Some of the drink spilled on Mr. Parris.

The court heard that Mr. Parris along with Scatliffe advanced to Alvarez, resulting in a scuffle. According to court information, Alvarez received a one inch laceration above his left eye and another laceration in between both eyes. He was taken to the Peebles Hospital and a medical report stated that the he also suffered a sprained ankle and trauma to the left side of his face.

Witnesses identified Parris and Scatliffe as the two who were fighting with Alvarez, but they denied assaulting Alvarez when questioned by Police.

Both men were later arrested and charged.