Man Bites Another in Argument after Allegedly Called a Battyman

"Battyman" in Jamaican parlance is the main word used to describe a male homosexual or an effeminate man wanting supposedly in the minds of the user to become or play the role of a woman, men do not take kindly in some instances to the use of the word to label them or as insults in an argument.

The ease at which in some simple arguments the use of such words or related ones can lead to near death consequences is shown here in this latest court case as outlined below. Damaging words in a verbal spat can lead to all out physical violence, as has happened repeatedly in Jamaica, men arguing in everyday comings and goings use words or expletives such as "Fish" "Battyman" Suck-pussy" and other such words that imply a feminization or weakening of the offending party's position if not literally then psychologically as power differentials play out so as to score points. 

An intervening party also found himself in some challenges after trying to calm the situation with the original two men who were arguing. The above words however did not appear or were mentioned in the official case report and court proceedings but hints were made to such effect carefully and respectfully in front of the bench.

St Ann Resident Magistrate Court

A man who bit another on his left thigh said he acted in self defence because he was under attack and had to do something to defend himself. Lancaster Seivwright and Roman Fields appeared in the St. Ann’s Bay Resident Magistrates court on Tuesday, March 5, before RM Peter Wilson in a case and cross case. The matter was brought to my attention via an email from someone who is close to the situation. 

Both men are charged for unlawfully wounding each other.

In the case against Seiwwight, the court was told hat on December 15, 2014, he bit Fields on the left thigh. Seivwright pleaded guilty. Fields is accused of using a machete to slap Seivwright and chop him on his hand. Fields too pleaded guilty but said it was in self defence. The court heard that on the same day, Fields armed with two machetes was involved in a dispute with another man. Seivwright intervened verbally and this reportedly angered Fields who changed and directed his anger towards Seivwright. It was at that point the words named above were used allegedly at him and also the other two men were already at each other in anger as well supposedly using the terms.

A scuffle developed between both men and during which Seivwright was reportedly slapped and chopped. In making his case of self defence, Fields claimed that he was attacked by another man and that Seivwright came on the scene and enquired what was happening. 

He said he and Seivwright started to argue and that Seivwright attacked him and bit him. “You a tell lie and that couldn’t be self defence,” Seivwright said before he was told by the RM to be quiet. 

Seivwright later told the court that Fields left from a bar and came to where he was and chopped at him. He said in order to avoid serious injury he jumped on Fields and bit him. Fields was told by RM Wilson to “fix up yuh story.’ 

Both men were summoned to court and were bound over to return on June 4 when their case will again be mentioned. Fields remains in police lock up though in relation to another matter also before the court.

A previous case shows us how the use of the word can cause issues where 3 schoolboys were tried after allegedly beating another male student and the "battyman" or "battybois" term was used repeatedly, see more HERE: 3 Schoolboys face the court for beating other male student allegedly for calling them "battybois" 

Such are the times 

Peace and tolerance

H