News

Tourist wrecks hotel room

By PAUL A. REID, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU:

AN AMERICAN MAN, who the court heard reimbursed a Montego Bay hotel for the damage he did to a bathroom, was lucky as he escaped both a prison sentence and fine when he appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.

Stephen Palmieri, who was admitted at the Cornwall Regional Hospital after the December 28 incident, and was subjected to a psychiatric evaluation, told the court he was "scared after staying by himself in the hotel" and was not sure why he did what he did.

Unusual manner

The penitent 44-year-old fruits and vegetables vendor of a New Jersey address, pleaded guilty to destroying a toilet bowl, four louvre blades and a door valued at $12,000.

The court heard that Palmieri, who reportedly had two golf clubs in his possession, was seen acting in an "unusual manner" and had to be restrained by a security guard at the hotel, who locked him into a bathroom while the police was called.

While the police were on their way to hotel, loud noises were heard coming from the bathroom and when it was opened, it was discovered that the toilet bowl, the louvres and the door had been damaged.

After stating that Palmieri appeared "pretty sane" but observing that "it was obvious something was wrong" when he destroyed the hotel's property, Resident Magistrate Mr. Evan Brown admonished and discharged him. He was slated to leave the island later that evening.