Bahamas: Teen convicted of attempted murder in school stabbing
The teen who claimed he was acting in self-defence when he stabbed a schoolmate in the back during a lunchtime brawl at Anatol Rodgers High School last year has been convicted of attempted murder.
The nine-member jury deliberated for 30 minutes before returning a guilty verdict with a count of 7-2.
Most jurors accepted the prosecution’s contention that the 15-year-old stabbed an innocent bystander in the back on September 12, 2022.
During his testimony, the teenager said that he took a knife to school for his protection because he had received threats via Facebook.
While on the lunch line, the teen said he was confronted by another student. He said he walked away from the initial confrontation; however, he was punched and pushed to the ground.
Once on the ground, the teenager said, he was stomped and kicked by at least four other students.
When his attackers ran, the teen, who was 14 years old, stabbed another 14-year-old in the back, breaking the handle off the knife.
Under cross-examination by Kenny Thompson, the accused admitted after viewing video footage of the incident that the student he stabbed had not attacked him.
However, he said that at the time, he believed that he was with his attackers.
Asked why he used a knife, the teen said it was the only way to defend himself against multiple attackers who were much bigger than he was.
Justice Franklyn Williams, KC, remanded the teen, who was on bail pending his trial, into custody to await sentencing.
The teen was represented by public defenders Stanley Rolle, Brendalee Rae and Danielle Kemp.
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