Teenage stab victim laid to rest

“The life of a future rock star snuffed out just like that.”

That how’s Superintendent Minister of the Kingstown /Chateaubelair Circuit of the Methodist Church, Reverend Victor Job, describes the end of David Jason Glenn’s short life.{{more}}

The 14-year old became the country’s sixth person to die by violent crime this year when he was stabbed in the side on Wednesday, March 4, 2009.

Glenn was laid to rest on Thursday, March 19, 2009, at the Kingstown Cemetery, following a funeral service led by Reverend Job at the Kingstown Methodist Church on Grenville Street.

The funeral for the Rockies resident drew hundreds of onlookers, all curious to see the young boy who had dominated the news two weeks earlier because of the circumstances surrounding his death.

The service even attracted snack vendors outside the church’s front gate.

Before the ceremony began, Glenn’s mother Karla stood protectively over her son’s coffin, while persons streamed by to catch a glimpse of the body of the young man. The elder Glenn remarkably held back tears as ushers closed her son’s white fur-covered coffin for the final time.

During the eulogy, sister of the deceased, Joeverne Webb, remembered her brother as “helpful and hardworking.” She said she regretted not being able to tell him she loved him one final time, but vowed to help her family find a way to move on.

Students from the deceased’s former school, the West St. George Secondary, also showed up in their numbers to pay their respects. Five of Glenn’s former classmates paid tribute to the young man in song.

Several relatives of the deceased wore white t-shirts with his face printed on the front.

Reverend Job addressed his homily to parents, guardians and children, and even to the family of the Glenn’s alleged killer.

He encouraged parents, whom he called a child’s first role models, to “use the rod [of correction] in love”, but was mindful of the modern implications of such, in which parents and teachers today were discouraged from using corporal punishment.

Reverend Job directed his seeming disgust of these new initiatives to representatives of the Ministry of Education: Senior Education Officer Carlton Hall and Deputy Chief Education Officer Luis deShong who were present in the congregation – a gesture which drew modest cheers from the crowd.

Job’s closing remarks urged parents to be good examples to their children.

“Teach them how to resolve conflicts peacefully,” he pleaded.

Also in attendance were Minister Michael Browne, representative of the West St. George constituency, and Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace.

In related news, 21-year-old Romano Hunte was charged with Glenn’s murder and has been remanded to custody until a preliminary inquiry is held on May 22, 2009. (SC)