Today almost seven thousand students sat the second day of the PSE exam - but only two of them did so on bail, a 13 and a 15 year old accused of abetment to the murder of 19 year old Shamir Gonzalez.
As we told you last week, Gonzalez who was murdered in Orange Walk in a school yard brawl that got out of hand. A 17 year old has been charged for the murder and two standard six students aged 13 and 15 along with a 20 year old have been charged for abetment to commit murder. The 15, 17, and 20 year old are brothers.
The four were not granted bail and the 2 standard 6 minors were granted permission by the Magistrate to sit their PSE Paper two today.
Monica Bodden Reporting
We were in Orange Walk today where this terrible story is still evolving:
It has been 5 days since 19 year old Shamir Gonzalez was killed inside of this Louisiana Government School Compound.
The young man who was involved in a fight - which included 2 standard 6 students from the school- was hit with a pipe behind his neck and died almost instantly.
According to Gonzalez's younger brother in an interview with 7news, he had gone to the school at 2:30 in the afternoon to pick up his nephew - when the 2 standard 6 students began cursing him out. He said he got off his bike and went upstairs to see what the problem was.
Today a student of Louisiana School - who was nearby when the exchange of words took place - told us what she saw - with the consent of her parents.
Student of Louisiana Primary School
"I was at downstairs buying and the I saw this boy going up attacking two young boys from the school and they were quarrelling and then the teacher came out and stop the quarrelling. The boy came down and he went to the flag pole. He said that he was coming back to fight and was going to bring his crew. So he went and then before 3:30 he and his brother was by the court waiting and then the two other students were doing duties and then they pass by and then the two brothers who was waiting for them follow them and that was when this entire thing started."
The 14 year old boy - who is not a student of Louisiana Primary School - went home for his 19 year old brother Shamir Gonzalez.
Hezekiah Bull- Father
"I am flattered and confuse at the same time that how this young man could come on a school compound. As a matter I was made to understand that he came there twice. He had made a trip there earlier sometime between 2:30 and 2:40 and went all the way upstairs in front of my son's class and had an argument with him."
What exactly happened that evening is still uncertain - but what we know is a young man is dead, 2 primary school students has been charged with abetment to commit murder and a 17 year old boy is charged with murder.
Hezekiah Bull- Father
"At one time when the teacher came out and heard the talking he left and went downstairs and at one time he told my son that he would be back. He did come back as far as I was made to know and he brought his brother along. He and my son got into this fight and I was made to understand as well it is when the bigger brother jump in. I must say that I am really sorry and my condolences go out to the grieving family. I do not raise my kids in any way to try to hurt anybody. I always try to avoid problems. I try my best to raise them the right way. The charges against my son is abetment. I had ask what is abetment because I don't know the legal term. I was made to understand that it is when somebody helps or participates to get someone killed or to get someone hurt. In this case someone die."
Bull's 13 year old son was one of 2 who were charged with abetment to commit murder.
Hezekiah Bull- Father
"As far as I know he didn't exchange a word, he didn't have any contact with this young man that died. As a matter of fact he does not even know him. He had no contact what so ever as far as i know. I am not going to sit here and say 'oh my son is this big saint and this and that' because he is a kid and all kids have their ups and downs, but if you get a record from the school my son don't have any record there."
His young son was supposed to be taking part the upcoming softball primary school's nation games. He was described to as an active and respectful child.
But that once lively child's freedom has been taken away. And now sits behind bars. But what happened to the young man who went to get his brother and brought him back to the school? The same one who was also involved in the fight?
Hezekiah Bull- Father
"It hurts me to see that this young man who was fighting with my son is still out there sending threats because as we speak right now he is still sending threats and that was the same thing that cause this same thing that we are in right now, because of his threats. Yes he has injuries in his arm, he has under his neck, he has some bruises to his shoulder blade, he has some big lumps (guava) all over his head."
Monica Bodden
"His injuries was classified as what?"
Hezekiah Bull- Father
"As harm. I got to see my son for the last time when he went to court when the charges was read to him and that was on Friday. That was the last time."
Monica Bodden
"You guys made attempts to visit him over the weekend?"
Hezekiah Bull- Father
"We made numerous attempts to see him which was denied. And at one time the police man look at me and says if this looks like visiting hours. I told him that its a little child you got in there brother man."
Today both standard 6 students were given an opportunity by the Magistrate to sit their PSE - under the supervision of a police offer and a representative from the Ministry of Education. As soon as their Exams were over at 2:30 this afternoon - they were back in court to find out where they will be remanded until May 31.
Hezekiah Bull- Father
"He should be going back to court as soon as the PSE is over and they will decide where they will be remanded because they are being remanded."
Both teenagers will be remanded at the Youth Hostel at Mile 21 on the Western Highway.
After the PSE and their arraignment the young men returned to the hostel at mile 21.
