Petrelis Files

Jamaican Hate Singer Jailed
for Bashing His Girlfriend

From my perch in San Francisco, which is obviously far, far away from Jamaica, I get more than a feeling that a collective wind of karma is smacking a good number of homo-hating musicians.

There is no grand homosexual conspiracy at work that put Buju Banton behind U.S. bars for cocaine charges, or canceled dozens of concerts worldwide, or forced lots of countries to deny or revoke visas for performers.

A handful of volunteer activists in numerous places have applied pressure of varying sorts, and the activism has dovetailed nicely with the growing legal and travel problems for the Jamaican haters, and the latest nugget of bad news for one of them comes via the Jamaican Gleaner:

The troubles facing popular dancehall star Bounty Killer are mounting. Less than one week after the United States Embassy in St Andrew indicated that he was among five Jamaican entertainers to have their visas revoked, the 38-year-old has found himself in more trouble with the law.

Bounty, whose correct name is Rodney Pryce, was arrested at his East Avenue, Kingston 10, house yesterday morning and charged with assault occasioning bodily harm.

It is alleged that on March 25, Pryce's female companion decided to end their three-year relationship. He reportedly refused, and attacked her.

A report was made to the police and, following investigations, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Investigators say that when Pryce was being processed at the Constant Spring Police Station yesterday morning - in keeping with standard police operating procedure - he was allowed to make a telephone call.

According to the police, Pryce used that opportunity to call the complainant and threaten her life in the presence of the police. [...]

As satisfying as it may be to think Bounty Killer would be so dumb to make such a threat with the cops listening, I don't readily buy that last bit. Having monitored the Jamaican press over the years and seeing too many times how the cops are the only source of information, for things such as claims that gays flaunting their sexuality provoked bloody attacks on them, I'm suspicious when Jamaican cops are the sole source.

On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised if Bounty Killer indeed made the threats, in keeping with his outlaw thug image. I'm also not losing any sleep over any troubles he and his colleagues are facing. Collective karma is one tough bitch.

Click here to read some background on Bounty Killer's history of inciting violence against gays from Peter Tatchell and the OutRage! group.