A public apology and a handshake may have finally ended a four-year land-use dispute between former Cabinet minister Mike Adam and his neighbour Wilson Mendoza.
Appearing before the Summary Court earlier today, 1 Dec., Adam and his two sons, Eric Adam and Jordan Adam, were due to be sentenced on charges of common assault. However, things took an unexpected turn when Mike Adam offered a public apology.
“I am ashamed to be here, this is completely out of character for me,” he said, as he apologised on behalf of his sons. “When we first met the Mendozas, we were happy and excited about the possibility of having new neighbours. I am not sure how things got this far, and I do apologise for the incident.”
Speaking directly to Mendoza, Adam said, “I hope you understand that I was just trying to protect my family. The good book says you should love your neighbour and I am a firm believer in every word it says. So, Mr. Mendoza, I hope to love you as my neighbour.”
Jordan Adam also apologised to Mendoza, saying, “I was raised better than to allow the actions of someone else to draw me out and cause me to act outside of my character.”
Mendoza accepted both apologies.
Magistrate Philippa McFarlane, who is presiding over the case, said she would not be able to return a sentence Wednesday because she was still in the process of reviewing a 47-page document submitted by Mendoza a few days prior to the hearing.
When offering the Crown’s sentencing proposal, Senior Crown counsel Nicole Petit asked that the court be mindful that closure and finality for both parties should be a priority.
“It concerns me that adults would not find the restraint within themselves when in the presence of children,” said Petite. “If closure for both families is not obtained we run the risk of a generational dispute that could flourish in the form of the Mendoza children versus the Adam children and their children’s children.”
Defence attorney Waide DaCosta, who represented all three defendants, asked McFarlane not to “reopen healing wounds” during the sentencing process.
“Both parties have reached the stage where they simply want to move on with their lives,” said DaCosta. “Right now they are healing after several years of disagreements, and the desire is that a measured and balance sentence that is fair and proportionate be imposed so as not to open healing wounds.”
Mike Adam and Mendoza shook hands after the hearing was adjourned.
Sentencing is now set for 13 Dec.
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