NASSAU-The lawyer for Internet personality and comedian Jonathan “Daddi Whites” Russell plans to file an appeal against his conviction today.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes jailed 38-year-old Russell for three months after he pleaded guilty to cruelty to children on arraignment on June15.
The charge stemmed from a controversial video of Russell giving a toddler a drink from a beer bottle as the child’s father, Lionel Hart Sr., 55, held him.
Bahamas Court News understands that attorney Bjorn Ferguson intends to argue that the magistrate made a mistake in accepting Russell’s plea.
Russell, who didn’t have a lawyer, disputed the prosecution’s claim that he gave the child beer.
According to Russell, the beer bottle really contained soda. He also said the child didn’t test positive for alcohol.
Known for his crass videos, Russell told the court, I’ve done thousands of videos and this is the worst video I’ve ever did.”
Hart was also jailed for three months after admitting the cruelty to children charge. But he, too, said he didn’t know what was in the bottle.
Ferguson will also lodge an appeal for Hart. He intends to seek bail pending appeal for both men.
He conceded he was wrong to permit Russell, whom he just met, to give his child a drink without learning what was inside. The child is now in the custody of his aunt.
They faced a maximum of two years in prison. However, the court considered their lack of previous convictions and early admission of guilt in sentencing.
