A High Court judge on Friday released a 92-year-old man who is accused of shooting his wife because Jamaica does not have a psychiatric facility to house him.
The man was released into the care of his son.
Vivian Rainford, who is unfit to plead, is charged with illegal possession of a firearm and wounding with intent.
It is alleged that on July 19, 2019 the senior citizen, who is a licensed firearm holder, shot his wife at their home in Kingston 6.
She was treated at hospital and released.
Before issuing the guardianship order in the Home Circuit Court, Justice Lorna Shelly Williams pointed out that admitting Mr. Rainford to a psychiatric facility was not an alternative.
The court heard that Jamaica's main psychiatric institution, Bellevue Hospital, does not have facilities to accommodate persons charged with criminal offences.
Justice Shelly Williams said she took into consideration, among other things, Mr. Rainford's age, the offence, and the submission from his attorney Matthew Hyatt.
In keeping with the guardianship order, Mr. Reinford's son will have to submit a medical report to the court's registrar every three months.
Mr. Rainford will again be placed before the court in the future if he is found fit to plead.
His case will be reviewed in two years.
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