ST JAMES, Jamaica — The St James Family Court has decided to drop charges against the 14-year-old Irwin High School student accused of fatally stabbing his 15-year-old classmate.

His attorney, Maurice McCurdy, told Observer Online that a prima facie case was not established as the Crown’s case lacked sufficient evidence.

The defendant was charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

Noting that the courts do not sit in a vacuum, McCurdy said it 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,” the attorney said.

The lawyer, however, stated that despite the court’s ruling, the defence expressed compassion for the family of the deceased.

He added that while the defence is satisfied with the court’s agreement with their legal arguments, there is no cause for celebration regarding the 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 attorney highlighted that he could not go into much details because the Family Court proceedings are private.

The 14-year-old schoolboy was charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of his 15-year-old classmate, Raniel Plummer, on April 18.

Plummer was reportedly accosted and attacked by a cohort of students upon leaving the premises of the high school in St James.

Police reports indicate that Plummer sustained a stab wound to his chest during the altercation with the 14-year-old male student.  He was subsequently transported to the Cornwall Regional Hospital for medical attention, but succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

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