Man admits machete attack but denies trying to kill brother

(CNS): Easton Russell pleaded guilty on Friday to chopping his brother Carlos with a machete at a house in Bodden Town last November but denied a charge of attempted murder. The crown, however, may still force a trial as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has said it will not accept Russell’s admission to grievous bodily harm alone. The case was adjourned until next month, when the issue of what plea is acceptable will be addressed.

The attack happened at Carlos Russell’s home on Carrington Lane in the Pease Bay area of Bodden Town. His brother was said to have slashed him with a machete, causing serious chop wounds. His brother Easton was arrested at the scene and later charged with the attempted murder of Carlos.

The two brothers are believed to be involved in an ongoing feud, though Carlos had recently been released from jail, having been convicted of manslaughter in 2006 for killing Philip Watler at the Cayman Islands Hospital.

Russell believed that Watler was one of two men who fired shots at his house in March 2005 and admitted that the hospital shoot-out was in retaliation.