Emotional visitation held for slain teen Jesse Clarke

There was an emotional visitation held Friday night for 14 year old Jesse Clarke, the boy who was killed in a brawl in the east end of Hamilton last Monday.

At Barton street and Lincoln sits a growing memorial marks the location where Jesse Clarke was killed.

A large group of over 100 mourners gathered outside Dermody’s Funeral Home on East Avenue throughout the evening, many with the hope that young people will put a end to violence in the neighbourhood.

Rob, who identified himself as a family friend says the neighbourhood youth are impressionable.

“They’re too young and they’re copying what other people are doing that are criminals. They need help.”

Jesse died on Monday when he was fatally stabbed. Hamilton Police say it happened while two groups of young men were fighting. 18-year-old Brodie Nicholls is charged with second degree murder.

Another family friend Melissa Mercuri wants people to remember the Jesse she knew.

“What would I want people to remember about Jesse? He’s full of life, he always had a smile on. He’s a goofball.”

Those who knew him say Jesse loved to skateboard. Many attending the Friday visitation brought their own boards along.

Jesse’s father and stepmother were too distraught to speak to CHCH News. Along with about 60 others, they wore T-shirts with Jesse’s name created by Mercuri who spoke on behalf of the family.

“They don’t want any vengence to come from this. I think that would be the best thing if everyone would just let everything go and let it be then he would have went for something right.”

Jesse Clarke’s funeral is Saturday at 1 p.m. It will also be held at Dermody’s on East Avenue in Hamilton. Nichols will appear again in court next month.