The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

THREE teens appeared in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday on a murder charge concerning the fatal stabbing of a Doris Johnson Senior High School student who was attacked near the school’s campus.

The boys – ages 15, 16, and 18 – were brought to the Magistrate’s Court complex at South Street under heavy police guard for their arraignment before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt concerning the December 9 killing of Adonai Wilson. The teens all had blankets covering their faces as they were brought to court.

The eldest teen celebrated his 18th birthday days after the alleged attack and has been charged as a juvenile along with the younger boys.

According to initial reports, Wilson, 16, was stabbed multiple times during an argument with several other school students shortly after school was dismissed early because of exams. He died a short time later in hospital.

The murder took place around 2pm on Prince Charles Drive and a graphic cell phone video of the incident was spread on social media.

The teens were told that they would not be required to enter a plea to the charges due to the nature of the offence and that the matter would be adjourned to January 28, 2016.

The 15-year-old was moved to tears and he sobbed for most of the arraignment prompting the chief magistrate to ask him if he was okay.

Murrio Ducille, who appeared for the eldest teen, questioned why the prosecution had brought the charge against his client. Mr Ducille told the court that his client was under attack during the incident in question.

“My instructions are that he was unarmed and also there was some reluctance to even charge him,” Mr Ducille said.

“The circumstances were such that he was under attack at the time when this occurred. I’d just like to raise that he’s been charged for murder and ask the prosecution to consider the circumstances so that some consideration is given to the point when we return here on January 28. It’s very important that those who are in charge of prosecution exercise proper discretion to prevent hardships for others.”

“If the issue you speak of is intent, the matter should be duly considered,” the chief magistrate said.

However, she noted that the matter was beyond her court’s discretion.

Ian Cargill, lawyer for the 16-year-old, asked the court to remand him to the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys.

Attorney Roberto Reckley made the same application for his 15-year-old client.

Both applications were granted but the judge told the lawyers: “It’s a call for the superintendent of Simpson Penn Centre whether they’re able to properly accommodate them.”

However, the chief magistrate was not inclined to extend the same privilege to the 18-year-old, although he was charged as a juvenile.

Mr Ducille informed the chief magistrate that the victim’s father is a prison officer.

The chief magistrate said she would speak to the commissioner of corrections on the matter before remanding the eldest accused to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.