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Country Courts. Obeah Case At Morant Bay

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Id:
998
Title/Headline:
Country Courts. Obeah Case At Morant Bay
Publication/reference number:
Gleaner
Date:
23/04/1924
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Enos Hercules Christie's evidence: Testified that he is a licensed druggist and lives at Seaforth, St Thomas. Christie keeps a drug store. On the 29th March last, the accused came to his shop at about 11.30am. The accused said, 'You have a case with a white man.' Christie said, 'Yes.' The accused said, 'Poor fellow, they are working obeah on you like h-- and I am a Frenchman from Kingston. I can let you win the case.' Christie said, 'I am pleased to meet with a man like you and I hope you won't charge me too much.' The accused said, 'I will only charge you a pound and will come at 7 o'clock next morning.' The accused directed Christie to get some white rum and one yard of black thread. Christie also was not to boil any rice in the yard, for it would 'scatter the case.' The next morning the accused came to Christie's place at about 9.30 o'clock. Christie took the accused into a back room. The accused said Christie must give him the rum and the thread and 4/6 for 'eye sight'. The accused called for a drinking glass. The 4/6 was made up of a two-shilling piece and a two-and-sixpence piece. Both coins were marked with a cross under the King's throat. His Honour: 'Mind you don't get let in for an attempt on the life of the King.' (laughter) Christie said: 'Defendant drew a vial from his pocket which contained some liquid, a portion of which he poured into the drinking glass, into which there was some of the rum. Some of the liquid from the vial was also rubbed on the the thread by the defendant.' The accused said: 'Call out the white man's name.' Christie shouted out 'Harris.' The accused said: 'Call it three times.' Christie said: 'Harris, Harris, Harris.' The accused knotted the thread each time Christie called out 'Harris.' The accused then said Christie must call his own name three times, which he did. The accused also making a corresponding knot to each call. The accused then jumped into the air and uttered some words in an unknown tongue. The accused then exclaimed 'You got him.' At this stage Detective Henry and Constable Ingram rushed into the room and held the accused who was arrested and searched and two coins already described and now shown were taken from his pocket. All accused said to the police was 'Oh, you come.' After the accused left him on the 29th. Christie communicated with the police at Morant Bay and both Detective Henry and Constable Ingram came up early on the morning of the 30th and went in hiding. Christie saw when Henry marked the coins. The accused did not cross-examined the witness. The further hearing was adjourned. No bail was granted.

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