Charges Dismissed Against Men Involved In Downtown Nantucket Stabbing Incident

Kemar Downer, 40, and Andre Hamilton, 33, the two men involved in the stabbing incident in downtown Nantucket in June, both invoked their Fifth Amendment rights and refused to testify against one another Monday in Nantucket District Court. The development led to the dismissal of charges against both Downer and Hamilton ahead of a bench trial.

Downer had been facing two charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, while Hamilton was facing one charge of assault and battery, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The Current reported in September that it appeared the charges against both men may be dropped.

The June 23rd fight between Kemar Downer and Andre Hamilton on South Beach Street - allegedly over a woman - began with Hamilton attacking Downer from behind, according to a surveillance video obtained by the Current. The altercation continued with Downer retaliating by slashing at Hamilton with a knife. Downer was arrested at the scene, while Hamilton was flown off-island by Medflight helicopter for treatment.

From the moment Downer was arraigned, his attorney - Rob Moriarty - was adamant that the incident was a clear example of self-defense and that Downer did not pull the knife until he was attacked from behind. He said the surveillance video completely supported Downer’s statements to police. Moriarty added that Downer is an eight-year resident of the island and has worked at Sayle’s Seafood on Washington Street for all of those eight years.

“He has housing, he has no prior criminal record,” Moriarty said. “Mr. Downer defended himself. This is straight self-defense. The other individual is bigger than him. Mr. Downer is relatively small in stature. The other individual is much larger and surprised him. Apparently, this had something to do with a girl that led to this individual attacking him. He was attacked without warning, was surprised, and defended himself, and the Nantucket Police treat it like a murder, and they hold him overnight without a determination of probable cause, without presenting the magistrate with information sufficient to hold him. He should have been brought for an arraignment at 3 o’clock (Tuesday afternoon) at the latest. It’s unconscionable.”

Hamilton was charged days later for his involvement in the stabbing.