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The Director of Public Prosecutions has advised that policeman, Kristoff Denobrega be charged with the murder of Quindon Bacchus.
In a statement, the DPP, Shalimar Ali-Hack said she received the report and file from the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority Justice Retired William Ramlal on the evening of the 3rd day of July, 2022. Justice Retired Ramlal recommended that one policeman, Lance Corporal Kristoff DeNobrega, be charged with the offence of Murder, Contrary to Common law, committed on Quindon Bacchus. “The DPP has since advised the police to proceed with the institution of this charge. Advise has also been given for two other policemen, Lance Corporal Thurston Simon and Sergeant Dameion McLennon to be charged with the following offences:
•Lance Corporal Thurston Simon is to be charged with the offence of Attempt to obstruct the course of justice, Contrary to Section 330 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.
•Lance Corporal Thurston Simon is to also be charged with the offence of Conduct prejudice to good order and discipline, Contrary to Section 4(z) of the Police (Discipline) Act, Chapter 17:01.
•Sergeant Dameion McLennon is to be charge with Attempt to obstruct the course of justice, Contrary to Section 330 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01,” the DPP statement concluded.
On Sunday the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) recommended that three policemen be charged with the gunning down of Golden Grove youth, Bacchus.
The PCA, chairman however had said it was for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack to announce the names of the ranks to be charged and for what crimes. Ramlall had promised to complete his investigation into the matter on Monday. However, he dispatched a press release on Sunday indicating that he had completed his investigation and submitted the report to the DPP.
Since the killing of Bacchus, a father of one, the East Coast village of Golden Grove and other neighbouring communities have been restive.
Police had reported that its rank had shot Bacchus at Haslington, ECD during a sting operation. It was alleged that ranks had learned that Bacchus had an illegal gun to sell. Arrangements were made for an undercover cop to purchase the gun from him. The undercover cop allegedly showed up to do business but while Bacchus was allegedly handing over the weapon, someone reportedly blew his cover. Police alleged that after Bacchus realised that he was caught in a sting operation, he shot at the cop. The policeman reportedly returned fire and Bacchus ran away and jumped into a yard where he shot at the rank again. The policeman alleged that he took cover and fired back again and this time, Bacchus was struck to his body and he fell to the ground. An injured Bacchus was picked up and rushed to a hospital where he died while receiving treatment. However, video footage which has been shared widely on social media has contradicted the police version of the incident. The video footage showed Bacchus running away from the policeman. There was no evidence of him shooting at the policeman as being alleged. According to reports, Bacchus was shot six times. A post mortem conducted on his body on his revealed that he died of multiple gunshot wounds.
