A 19-year-old man from South Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Jaxon Jai Trinidad was arrested after allegedly cutting off his father's arm using a samurai sword on Friday, February 21. The incident took place after a domestic violence episode between Trinidad and his father, 40-year-old James Nybo.
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According to ABC News Australia, before Trinidad used the samurai sword, Nybo had allegedly sent "threatening and abusive texts" to Trinidad. Nybo was also in possession of a baseball bat. On Friday, Trinidad reportedly heard a loud commotion inside their house, quickly grabbing the samurai sword he purchased recently.
A confrontation between father and son ensued, starting at the house and moving to the street. According to prosecutor Matthew Fullgrabe, Trinidad unsheathed the samurai sword to "scare" his father. Nybo, instead, told Trinidad to "f*** off." During court, it was said that Nybo smashed a car's window with his bat. Then, when he raised the bat above his head, Trinidad allegedly used his samurai sword to sever his father's arm.
Nybo's arm was left on the road and the sword injured his right bicep, according to the outlet. Trinidad then allegedly left the sword at the house and fled the scene. Nybo then arrived at the Kalgoorlie Health Campus before he collapsed. He was then airlifted to the Royal Perth Hospital for emergency surgery, according to Sky News Australia. Trinidad turned himself in the day later.
Charged
Jaxon Jai Trinidad was charged with one count of aggravated previous bodily harm, one count of carrying or possessing an edged weapon, and two counts of possessing a controlled weapon. He was denied bail by Magistrate William Yoo. This decision was met poorly by Trinidad's family members who were in attendance, supporting him. Home detention remains a possibility, as Magistrate Yoo ordered a home detention report.
"This is a situation where self-defense clearly arises but that's a jury question, rather than a magistrate question," Yoo said. "If convicted, you are looking at a term of immediate imprisonment, at least in my assessment. I need to make sure this community is protected."
Trinidad was also charged with two additional counts of possession of a controlled weapon. He had a hunting knife and an additional sword. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 14.
