Schoolgirl to stand trial for manslaughter

The Richard Ishmael student who was accused of fatally stabbing a woman at her school just over a year ago was yesterday committed to stand trial for manslaughter.

Magistrate Oneidge Walrond-Allicock ruled yesterday at Court Six that there was not enough evidence to support a charge of murder. However, there was evidence for manslaughter and the teenager was released on $75,000 bail.

Loud wails came from the teenager when she heard what the magistrate said and realized that she could go home. Her family, clearly overjoyed that she was to be released on bail, hugged her.

It is alleged that on November 31, 2005 the teenager who was then 15 murdered Jacklyn Levius. According to the facts of the case, Levius had gone to the school to meet the headmistress in relation to an incident that occurred the previous day between the accused and another student of the school. The teenager was asked to visit the office but refused and as a result Levius and others decided to go in search of her. Somewhere along the way, after an exchange of words between the two parties, the teenager allegedly grabbed Levius and stabbed her. The injured woman died a few hours later at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The teen is expected to stand trial at the next sitting of the High Court. She was represented by Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos.