Man interrupts court proceedings with outburst

Court proceedings in Kingston, Jamaica, were interrupted Tuesday by a man exhibiting erratic behavior. Fabian Lewis, who was appearing in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on charges of shop breaking and simple larceny, launched into an outburst, claiming he had been abandoned by the government.

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I have been on my own all my life and the government has never done anything to help me. This court process is being used to discourage and put me down.

As Presiding Judge Peter Wilson was explaining the case, Lewis interjected, stating he had been on his own his entire life and that the government had offered no assistance. He accused the court process of being used to demean and discourage him. Judge Wilson halted Lewis, expressing concern over his comments, especially given that the government was funding his legal representation.

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Your comments are troubling, particularly as the Government of Jamaica is paying for your legal representation.

Lewis continued his outburst, suggesting it would be preferable to be killed than to endure the legal process. He questioned the shop breaking and theft charges, asserting that nothing had been stolen. The courtroom atmosphere became visibly disturbed by the exchange. Judge Wilson reiterated the need for a psychiatric evaluation to determine Lewis's fitness to stand trial before the case could move forward. Lewis is scheduled to return to court on October 5.

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It would be better if they killed me than put me through the process.