Jah Cure’s Lawyer To Argue Self-Defense At Trial
Jan-Hein Kuijpers, the Dutch attorney-at-law representing embattled Reggae singer Jah Cure says he will be presenting a self-defense case on his Jamaican client’s behalf during the first public hearing tomorrow at 11:45 a.m.
The Prison Walls singer, whose real name is Siccaturie Alcock, is charged with attempted murder, attempted manslaughter, aggravated assault, or attempted aggravated assault, following an alleged stabbing incident involving concert promoter, Nicardo ‘Papa’ Blake.
In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, Kuijpers noted that he has thoroughly interviewed the singer, and is prepared to argue his case.
“Mr Alcock is waiting for his trial because he wants to clear his name… Mr Alcock testified in detail what happened, and for him it was a clear self-defence situation,” Kuijpers told the Jamaica Observer. “Witnesses have to be interrogated.”
Kuijpers is the founding partner of the firm Kuijpers Nillesen, which specializes in criminal law.
The popular singer has been behind bars in the Netherlands since October 2021. He was arrested following the incident in Dam Square in the city center of Amsterdam on October 2, 2021. Police reports suggest that after the incident, the alleged victim reported the matter to the police and, after a quick investigation, the police arrested Jah Cure in Utrecht.
Meanwhile, Kuijpers added that the entertainer remains in high spirits despite being detained for months.
“In the meantime, he is trying to make the best of it… He is a powerful man.”
Cure is no stranger to the inner workings of the justice system. In April 1999, he was found guilty of and sentenced to 15 years in prison for rape. He was released from jail on parole in July 2007, after serving eight years of the sentence.
In 2015, he was arrested by Trinidad and Tobago court marshals shortly after completing his performance at the O2 Park in Chaguaramas. He was charged with accepting money to perform and not showing up. However, after lengthy discussions between his lawyer Mario Merritt and attorneys representing the promoter whom he owed more than TT$83,000 in performance fees, the artist was allowed to go free. He paid US$6,000 in cash to the court and agreed to pay the remainder.