By Latrishka Thomas
A charge of wounding with
intent to murder has been filed against two of the five boys who were allegedly
involved in the violent attack on Jahhym Azoo.
While
police spokesman, Inspector Frankie Thomas confirmed the charge, another source
said the duo will be appearing before the Child Justice Board today for the
commencement of an assessment/inquiry.
Since the
charge falls under Schedule III of the Child Justice Act 2015, the duo was
being held without bail up to last night, and they will remain in custody at
least until they apply for bail before the High Court.
Meanwhile, the
Board which will be overseeing the assessment under the Act, and which was recently
appointed by the Minister of Public Safety, Steadroy ‘Cutie’ Benjamin, is
headed by Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel-Edwards with Pastor James Gore and two social workers, Norma Jeffrey
Dorsett, and Ava Weston.
According to
the law, the source said, the board does not have the power to issue bail or
release the boys into the custody of their parents, except in instances where
the offences fall under Schedule I or II. If or when the boys are granted bail,
another issue arises, because the law recommends that they be held in a safehouse,
but there is no such facility in Antigua and Barbuda, according to the source.
Seventeen-year-old
Azoo has been fighting for his life at the Mount St. John’s Medical Centre
(MSJMC) after being attacked by boys under the age of 18 in Grays
Farm.
Since then, residents and family members of the victim have been crying out to authorities for
“Justice for Jahhym”
In fact, a few
persons were seen protesting outside the Police Headquarters this past
Saturday.
One protest sign read “MINORS are turning into CRIMINALS and our POLICE
are doing NOTHING!! WE do NOT feel SAFE!!”
Azoo
has undergone surgery and is still recovering at the hospital.
