Category: Saint John

A 19 year old Saint John man accused of stealing a school bus will go to trial, even though he has been deemed not criminal responsible.

Mathew Duke has undergone a 60 day psychiatric assessment at the Restigouche Hospital Centre where the psychiatrists said he was fit to stand trial, but wasn’t criminally responsible, when he stole the school bus and smashed into two police cars during a chase in February.

Duke did not admit to committing the crimes in court yesterday so the judge ordered him to stand trial. Then he was sent back to Campbellton on remand at least until a preliminary inquiry April 25.

Samuel-de-Champlain school was locked down yesterday afternoon just before classes were to end for the day.

Police got a report that a student heard a man with a gun was on his way to the school. Parents waiting to pick up their kids had to wait out on the road until police gave the all-clear. They remained on the scene until all the kids were gone. The investigation continues.