The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A LAWYER has requested that a detailed psychiatric report be presented to a magistrate addressing the mental health of her client who is accused of battering a one-year-old boy to death.

Samuel Mackey, 21 of Croton Street, and his lawyers Krysta Mason-Smith and Crystal Rolle appeared in Magistrates Court yesterday for the expected presentations of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI) and psychiatric evaluation stemming from Mackey’s initial arraignment concerning the March 6 killing of Patrick McKenzie.

The toddler was taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital in an unresponsive state around 9pm that day and pronounced dead a short while later.

At Mackey’s initial arraignment in March, Ms Mason-Smith informed Magistrate Andrew Forbes that her client was mentally ill and urged the court to order that he be evaluated.

The request was granted and the matter was transferred to Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt who adjourned the matter to May 11 for the presentation of the documents.

In yesterday’s proceeding, however, the chief magistrate was informed that the VBI would not be ready for some two weeks.

Ms Mason-Smith addressed the court about the psychiatric report done by the Department of Correctional Services.

The lawyer noted that, according to the report, a full examination was done but did not include any findings to better assist the court as to Mackey’s fitness to plead to the charges or his mental fitness.

The magistrate adjourned the matter to May 28 for a status hearing and the presentation of the Crown’s case against Mackey concerning the toddler’s death.