“I never threatened to kill him I merely prophesied that he will be burnt with fire like his father at that very house he lives in,” stated 35-year-old Edward Bowen who appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday on a threatening language charge.
Bowen, who stated that his real name is Elijah Ma Wulli, pleaded not guilty to the charge when Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson read it to him.
The charge alleged that on May 23, at his North Ruimveldt home, he used threatening language towards his brother Roger Bowen.
Edward stated that he is a priest, preacher, prophet, teacher and philosopher and also an “authentic Rastafarian and a King.”
He said that the charge against him was a baseless one and that the police had the wrong person.
“Being a Prophet of the most High I only told my brother that he will be killed by fire,” he told the court.
He claimed that “the King of Ethiopia” who is currently angry at his brother told him so and that if the police wanted someone to charge then it should be the King.
He said he had seen himself being arrested and taken to the court because of the prophecy he made to his brother.
However, Roger Bowen, who was also present in court, stated that his brother had become a nuisance to his family.
He said his brother had harassed him and his wife, claiming that his wife was a witch who was working obeah on him.
“My Worship, my brother beats his drums all day until 3 and 4 in the morning of the next day and all he chants is ‘de wicked gah dead, fire burn all them young and old,’” stated Roger.
Edward, who was standing outside the dock in the courtroom, then closed his eyes and started to shake himself, at times rolling his eyes and laughing.
When instructed by the court orderly to stop shaking, he said he was not the one shaking himself, “the most High” was shaking him.
Roger said he had invited his brother to live at his father’s house with him several years ago and that since then he and his family had no peace.
He said at one point, “my brother told me that I have 30 days to live,” but later apologised to him after the police were called in.
Roger later said that on May 23, after threatening to kill him and his family, his brother took several pieces of their furniture and lit them afire in their backyard.
Prosecutor Stephen Telford then stated that Edward had threatened to burn down the house and kill his brother and his family.
The magistrate then ordered that Edward be remanded to prison and that the matter be transferred to Court Two for June 17. (AB)
