Court Throws Out Obstruction Charges Against Cops Linked to Quindon Bacchus Killing

December 16 2025

Two members of the Guyana Police Force have been cleared of charges stemming from the investigation into the killing of Quindon Bacchus, after a Georgetown magistrate ruled that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to require them to answer the case.

DEAD: Quindon Bacchus

Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore, sitting in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, on Monday upheld no-case submissions in favour of Cadet Officer Damien McLennon and Lance Corporal Thurston Simon.

The ruling brought the obstruction of justice proceedings against both ranks to an end.

In McLennon’s case, his attorney, Bernard Da Silva, argued that the prosecution had not established a prima facie case on the allegation that his client attempted to obstruct the course of justice. The magistrate agreed and dismissed the charge.

An identical ruling followed for Lance Corporal Simon, who was represented by attorney Glenn Hanoman. After reviewing the evidence, the court also upheld a no-case submission on his behalf, resulting in the charge against him being dismissed.

Both officers had been on cash bail while the matter was before the court.

The cases were part of broader legal proceedings arising from the June 10, 2022 shooting death of 23-year-old Quindon Bacchus, a father of one, during a police operation at Haslington, East Coast Demerara.

Simon and McLennon had been accused of attempting to obstruct justice by allegedly supplying false information to investigators examining the circumstances surrounding Bacchus’s death.

Acting on a recommendation from the Police Complaints Authority dated July 3, 2022, the Director of Public Prosecutions had advised that charges be laid against Simon, McLennon, and Lance Corporal Kristoff De Nobrega.

De Nobrega was separately charged with Bacchus’s murder.

However, the murder case against De Nobrega has also since collapsed. Last month, Demerara High Court Judge Gino Persaud upheld a no-case submission in his favour, ruling that the prosecution failed to adduce sufficient evidence to sustain the charge.

The judge directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty, formally acquitting De Nobrega. He was represented by attorney George Thomas, while State Counsel Praneta Seeraj and State Counsel Padma Dubraj appeared for the prosecution.

Earlier, following a preliminary inquiry, a magistrate had ruled that a prima facie case existed and committed De Nobrega to stand trial in the High Court.

According to police reports, the fatal incident occurred around 14:30 hours on June 10, 2022, when ranks were conducting an operation at Haslington based on prior intelligence.

Investigators stated that information from a 22-year-old construction worker led police to Bacchus, who was allegedly armed and intended to sell a firearm to an undercover officer.

During the alleged transaction, Bacchus reportedly raised an alarm and fled while discharging a round in the direction of the officer. Police said the officer returned fire, striking Bacchus.

A .380 pistol with a magazine containing one round, along with a .380 spent shell and two 9mm spent shells, were later reported to have been recovered at the scene.

Bacchus was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he died while receiving treatment. His cause of death was listed as multiple gunshot wounds.

In a related civil matter, Justice Nigel Niles of the Demerara High Court in 2024 ordered the State to pay $24 million in damages to Bacchus’s mother for his unlawful killing, after the State accepted liability in the lawsuit she brought.