CLARENVILLE, NL— Gordon Cecil Wheaton, who was charged with uttering threats, via email, to cause death or bodily harm to staff and students of Riverside Elementary in Clarenville on March 12, has been released on bail.
A bail hearing for the 45-year-old was held March 13. A publication ban has been put in place on any evidence presented during the hearing.
Wheaton told the judge he did not wish for a lawyer from legal aid to represent him.
Wheaton faces a number of conditions of release— including a condition to remain away from any school.
Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD) made the decision to close three Clarenville schools — Riverside Elementary, Clarenville Middle and Clarenville High — early Tuesday morning after RCMP notified them of the threat.
Upon learning that the suspect had been taken into custody, NLESD decided to reopen the three schools for the afternoon session.
He is also facing a charge out of Marystown of uttering threats to a woman over the phone.
Wheaton will next appear in Clarenville provincial court April 12.
Related story: Clarenville area schools closed due to threat aimed at Riverside Elementary
