Self-Defense Claim in Nantucket Stabbing Incident

A seafood delivery worker involved in a stabbing near Nantucket’s busy ferry terminal claims he was acting in self-defense. Kemar Downer, 40, employed by Sails Seafood, faced charges in Nantucket District Court for two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, resulting in serious injuries.

Downer’s lawyer, Rob Moriarty, stated that video evidence supports Downer’s claim of self-defense, asserting it shows a complete defense of his actions. “The video was beneficial for them,” he mentioned regarding the defense.

Moriarty explained that the altercation stemmed from a dispute over a woman. He said the individual, whom he identified as a larger man from Wraith Trucking, approached Downer from behind and punched him several times in the head. “He startled him and punched him in the back of the head about three times,” Moriarty reported. He added that Downer felt compelled to react as the man continued to kick him.

The incident occurred Tuesday morning on South Beach Street, close to the ferry terminal, a place bustling with summer tourists. Police had responded to a report of a stabbing at that location, and the injured individual received treatment before being taken to Nantucket Cottage Hospital.

Downer, after being released on a $2,500 bail, was instructed to maintain distance from the alleged victim and wear a GPS tracking device. Moriarty argued that Downer shouldn’t have been held overnight, stating that the Nantucket Police were not adhering to constitutional protocols.

Turning to the events leading to the stabbing, Downer told authorities that he was delivering juice when he was attacked. Despite being from the same parish in Jamaica, he didn’t know the aggressor. According to reports, when he turned, the man kicked him, prompting Downer to pull out a pocket knife in defense.

Witnesses mentioned that Downer had gone into a nearby juice bar looking for another knife, ultimately asking for a larger one when a bar employee intervened. The alleged victim suffered serious injuries, including a punctured lung and deep gash, which likely requires surgical intervention.

Daytime violence has recently become a pressing issue in Nantucket, especially as it transitions into a busy summer season filled with tourists and seasonal workers.