Jazz ‘Ra’ Rima-Samuels, a ‘transgender woman’ identified as David Rima-Samuels in court, was denied home detention following a violent assault on his partner with a claw hammer.
Lawyer Kerry Tustin argued in Hamilton District Court that Rima-Samuels should avoid jail due to the difficulties faced in prison as a transgender individual. Tustin highlighted that Rima-Samuels, who he said was ‘technically’ considered male and thus placed in a men’s prison, has been a long-time victim of the partner’s violence and had a fragile nature due to sexual orientation, which made incarceration particularly challenging in this case.
Despite acknowledging the complex issues surrounding gender identity and history of domestic violence, Judge Noel Cocurullo sentenced Rima-Samuels to 19 months in prison, rejecting the plea for home detention.
The assault, which occurred on October 6, involved Rima-Samuels striking the victim multiple times on the head with a claw hammer, causing serious injuries. Judge Cocurullo noted the brutal nature of the assault and the psychological and physical impact on the victim warranted a custodial sentence of 19 months imprisonment.
Because gentle people of a “fragile nature” often go around committing assault with claw hammers 👍
Mental illness needs to be treated, not affirmed.
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