Dwayne Bishop has been sentenced to a combined total of eight months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges stemming from a domestic violence incident and a subsequent cutlass attack on a bystander who intervened.
Bishop appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, where he admitted to the following charges:
Assaulting his partner, Shello Zamette
Breach of the peace
Assault causing actual bodily harm to Deon Cappell, who attempted to rescue Zamette during the altercation
According to the prosecution, Bishop and Zamette had been in a relationship for approximately four years and share a child. The incident occurred on the night of December 21, when Zamette attended a staff party. At around 11:00 PM, Bishop arrived to pick her up, leading to an argument during which Zamette refused to go with him.
The confrontation escalated, resulting in Bishop slapping Zamette repeatedly. Despite her resistance and pleas, he continued the assault. Cappell, who was passing by in his car, witnessed the incident and stopped to confront Bishop, urging him to stop the violence.
Despite Cappell’s intervention, Bishop reportedly forced Zamette into his car and drove away, prompting Cappell and others in their vehicles to follow. During the pursuit, Cappell confronted Bishop, who then brandished a cutlass and struck Cappell across his back, causing visible injury.
After the attack, Cappell reported the incident to the police, leading to Bishop’s arrest.
During the court hearing, Zamette stated that this was the first time Bishop had physically assaulted her, noting that she received no medical treatment for her injuries, though she did obtain a medical report. She defended her account of the incident when questioned by the magistrate, expressing regret that the situation escalated.
In his ruling, Magistrate Faith McGusty emphasized the seriousness of domestic violence and the need for the court to send a strong deterrent message. Addressing Bishop directly, she urged him to reflect on his behavior while incarcerated and to seek meaningful change.
Bishop received a two-month sentence for the assault and breach of the peace involving Zamette, and an additional six-month sentence for the assault on Cappell. With this sentencing, the court aims to underscore the impact of domestic violence and the importance of intervening to protect victims.
