Without referencing Bacchus ACP Slowe punched holes into Gov’t handling of crime

Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, continues to probe the quality of investigation and subsequent charges for the death of 23-year-old Quindon Bacchus. Bacchus, the father of one, was killed on June 10^th in a hail of bullets allegedly fired by Kristoff DeNobrega in what the Police said was a sting operation for illegal weapons in the Haslington area.

Appearing recently on David Hinds “Politics 101” Programme, Slowe fired off at the Government’s choice of using the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) for investigating incidents surrounding the June 10^th shooting. He said the Police’s Forensic Department should have played an integral role because it is a criminal matter.

According to the retired ACP, given shots were fired the investigation should have included cording off the crime scene, collecting evidence, swabbing hands for residue- -including Bacchus’ hands given the police alleged they were fired at by him- among other procedures that should follow the normal course of such investigation.

Retired Justice William Ramlall and Chairman of the PCA conducted the investigation and recommended the Police and DPP charge three policemen. Video showed more than three policemen chasing Bacchus. The father of one was shot six times- five times to the back and once to the chest.  The postmortem report, released by the Police, said  Bacchus died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Slowe, in his online show, “Speaking Out,” addressed matters relating to the tragic and fatal incident. He provided open education and clarity on police procedures and working of the Force consistent with the Police Act, Chp 16:01. Taking to his social media page, the retired ACP established clearly the distinction between “open arrest” and “close arrest” when the Police did not provide accurate information under what condition DeNobrega was being detained. The information was later corrected.

Again on Tuesday, Slowe, in his imitable style, but without specificially naming the Bacchus murder and charges against the police, informed that there are four ways a person can be associated with a crime: –

“1. Principal in the first degree.

2. Principal in the second degree.
3. Accessory before the fact.
4. Accessory after the fact.”

He advised that “A principal in the first degree is a person who is charged with actively carrying out a criminal action, one who commits the act ‘with his own hand.’”

“A principle in the second degree is a person present during a criminal action who knowingly helps the crime to occur but does not actively participate.”

“Another definition says a principle in the second degree is ‘a person that is present at the scene of a crime and aids, abets, or encourages the commission of the crime with the required criminal intent.’”

The retired ACP advised, “helping someone during a crime is known as an accomplice. Helping someone prior to the crime in an accessory before the fact. Helping someone after a crime has been committed is an accessory after the fact.”

Slowe goes further, educating that-

“An accessory before the fact is a person who aids, abets, or encourages another to commit a crime but who is not present at the scene. An accessory before the fact, like an accomplice may be held criminally liable to the same extent as the principle.”

“An accessory after the fact is someone who assists someone who has committed a crime, after the person has committed the crime, with knowledge that the person committed the crime, and with the intent to help the person avoid arrest or punishment.”

On Monday, July 4^th, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, recommended the Guyana Police Force proceed with charges against three police officers. The DPP recommended charging Lance Corporal Kristoff DeNobrega for murder for the fatal shooting of Bacchus; and charging recently promoted Cadet Officer Dameion McLennon and Lance Corporal Thurston Simon for obstructing the course of justice in relation to the murder. The next day the three appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer the charges.

Watch this page for more information as events unfold and/or get clarified.