KINGSTON, Jamaica, Sept 21, CMC – A judge Monday dismissed the assault case against the medical chief of staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Dr. Carl Bruce, who had been accused of beating fellow neurosurgeon nearly 19 years ago.
Justice Alwayne Smith in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, said that the defendant, Dr Roger Hunter, had waited 18 years to make a complaint to the police with no explanation for the delay. The judge said that this had placed the accused at a disadvantage of recounting the events of the incident. In addition, the judge noted that there was no human resources record or medical evidence to support Dr Hunter’s claims.
Dr. Bruce was found not guilty on two counts: malicious destruction of property and assault at common law.
Th court was told that in 2007, Dr Hunter was in the planning room at the UHWI preparing for surgery when the accused burst inside and said to him, “What the f**k are you doing in the planning room? Get the f**k out of the planning room.”
Dr. Bruce reportedly rushed towards Dr. Hunter and grabbed him by his tie and shirt and pushed him away. He reportedly then hit the defendant in his head, face, neck and chest before threatening to spit in his face. Dr. Hunter alleged that Dr. Bruce damaged his shirt and tie, which were valued at J$5,000 (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.008 cents).
The matter was reported to the police in November 2024 and was first mentioned in court last April.
The trial began in April this year, with Hunter as the Crown’s sole witness.
CMC/2026