A former Williamsburg Academy student charged with Threatening an Act of Terror-ism continues to be housed at the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) in Columbia while waiting on a judge’s decision whether or not to set bond.

On April 30, the 16-year-old male was taken into custody and charged with Threatening an Act of Terrorism, a Class B felony, which carries a penalty of prison from 25 years to life. That same day he was denied bond in W.C. Magistrate’s Court and again on May 3, in W.C. Municipal Court. On May 9, the suspect appeared for a second time before a Third Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman. Two days prior, the young man appeared before Judge Newman where bond was to be considered but before he would make his decision, the judge ordered the child to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Back in court, Judge Newman studied the letter from a licensed counseling psychologist. According to the child’s attorney while addressing the judge, the psychologist “states that (the boy) is alert, well oriented, and he does not feel he is suicidal or harmful to others.”

Judge Newman also heard from both the defense and the solicitor’s office. The defense offered some alternatives that would secure the child, provide a safety-net for the community and satisfy the court. At previous bond hearings, the court considered the seriousness of the charge as well as if the child could possibly be a threat to the community or to himself.

The prosecutor stated that if bond were set he would re-emphasize his former request to integrate strict guidelines such as no weapons in any house the child would be staying and the opportunity to live in a community “which at least takes away from the people who may have been picking on him while at school.” Other suggested security measures would be GPS monitoring and a high surety bond, if in fact a bond is set. Judge Newman took the information under advisement. At time of press, a decision had not been rendered.