Teacher accused of attempted murder gets bail

A teacher charged with the attempted murder of a 14-year-old Clare Hall Secondary School (CHSS) student was successful in receiving bail in the High Court, following his first appearance in the St John’s Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Vendiz Charles, a physics teacher, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh where he was remanded to the St John’s Police Station, until he posted bail, hours later.
Charles’ attorney, Leon Chaku Symister, indicated to the magistrate that he would be seeking bail for the educator — who has been attached to CHSS where the incident occurred since the start of the new school year — at the High Court.
The 26-year-old resident of Potters was granted bail in the principal sum of $10,000 and was required to pay $2,500 to facilitate his release.
The accused needed two sureties to sign on his behalf and was required to surrender his travel documents to the state.
Committal proceedings are scheduled for May 15.
Symister told OBSERVER media that Charles is expected to resume work today unless and until the teacher receives written notification, informing him otherwise, from the Public Service Commission, which deals with disciplinary matters regarding civil servants attached to the Ministry of Education.
The injured CHSS student, Akeem Scotland, who was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Mount St John’s Medical Centre with an injury to the head last week, was discharged from the hospital on Saturday and is said to be recuperating at home.
(More in today’s Daily Observer)