Youth cries in court

A TEARFUL 17-year-old youth from Vessigny Village appeared before a Point Fortin magistrate yesterday to answer the charge of murdering a 23-year-old fellow villager, who died at hospital ten days after being beaten during a beach football game.

With tears streaming down his face, a slim-built Ako Lewis, dressed in a white jersey and jeans, stood timidly before Magistrate Rae Roopchand as the charge of murdering Alvin Celestine was read out in court. Lewis was arrested and formally charged with murder by Cpl Anthony Monsegue after he (Lewis) and his mother were summoned by the police. His mother, Lydia Morrain, stood at her son’s side while the murder charge was read before the court. As the charge was being read, the tears came. Attorney Mickey Dindial represented Lewis shortly after the mother requested legal aid. Dindial proceeded to request that at the next date of the matter, copies of the teen’s alleged confession statement, documented statements from witnessses and the autopsy and other medical reports be made available to him.

When Lewis went back to the prisoners’ cell of the courtroom, after the case was adjourned to September 12, his grandmother hugged and comforted him through the cell bars. The elderly woman then gave Lewis a copy of the Holy Bible, which he placed in the back pocket of his pants.
On August 19, Celestine was struck about his head during an altercation with another man at Vessigny Beach. He was hospitalised in a coma with fractures to his skull. He later died at hospital without ever regaining consciousness. Lewis was remanded into custody since the charge of murder is a non-bailable offence. He was ordered sent to the Youth Training Centre (YTC) in Golden Grove, Arouca, until the case is called.