Case dismissed against Irwin High schoolboy charged with murder of schoolmate

The St James Family Court today dismissed the case against the 14-year-old Irwin High School student who was charged with the stabbing death of his 15-year-old schoolmate.

His attorney, Maurice McCurdy, told The Gleaner that the court upheld submissions where it was argued that the schoolboy was innocent.

“Today was the date for the decision of the committal hearing. The two charges against him were thrown out as both the murder charge and the possession of an offensive weapon charge were dismissed against him,” McCurdy outlined.

“The courts do not sit in a vacuum and must take the fulsomeness of the law and the facts into account to discharge its duty. Sometimes, however, the suspect is the victim and the deceased is the author of his own demise,” he stated.

The attorney was quick to point out that notwithstanding the court's decision today, the defence sympathises with the family of the deceased.

“Though the defence is pleased that the court found favour with our submissions in law, there is nothing to celebrate about this case. A loss of a child is a major blow to any nation. It has never been lost on us that a family is grieving,” said McCurdy.

The 14-year-old schoolboy was charged following the stabbing death of his schoolmate, 15-year-old Raniel Plummer, on April 18.

Plummer was reportedly approached and attacked by a group of students after exiting the grounds of the St James-based high school.

According to police reports, during the assault Plummer was stabbed in the chest by the 14-year-old male student and was transported to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where he died while being treated.

It was alleged that the incident stemmed from an earlier altercation.

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