Benevolent, TOOTS tries to keep out of prison the young man who threw a bottle at his head!

Reggae legend Toots Hibbert's appeal for the freedom of the young man who hit him with a bottle while he was performing in the United States in May failed to convince the judge in the case last week. Hibbert was concerned about the boy and asked the judge if something could be done. In an excerpt from the letter, Toots writes: He's a young man, and I've heard what happens to young people in prison..." The letter was read last Thursday in Richmond Court. Toots says his pain and suffering would only increase knowing the things the young man would face. Prosecutor Anne Lloyd, who read Hibbert's letter, decided that the 20-year-old's actions justified a 1-year prison sentence, the maximum for charges of this nature. Judge Margaret P. Spencer, after hearing testimony from several people, reduced defendant William Connor Lewis's sentence to six months in prison. Lewis pleaded guilty to the assault charge but told the court he was drunk and had no intention of hurting anyone. I had no intention of hitting anyone. Mr Hibbert was not a target. No one was a target. It brought shame to my city...".

CONSEQUENCES

The incident, which occurred on May 18, 2013, brought serious consequences to the 71-year-old legend Toots Hibbert. In addition to the strong impact of the glass bottle, the cut required 6 stitches on the singer's head. In June, Hibbert filed a civil lawsuit for 21 million dollars against Lewis, and the justification for the high amount is that in addition to not having performed for more than 7 months, he also canceled several shows already scheduled. But, according to Toots, the worst is the physical consequences. He says he suffers from extreme anxiety, memory loss, headaches, dizziness and the saddest of all: insecurity in front of crowds. I'm no longer able to write songs like I used to, or I even forget the lyrics to songs I sang for decades..." Let's hope that this great legend of world reggae recovers as quickly as possible, and that these obstacles are overcome. Long live Toots Hibert!