Cuz” convicted of manslaughter in fatal McKenzie stabbing
March 31 2026
A High Court jury has found Keno Lampkin, also known as “Cuz” or “Coues,” guilty of manslaughter in connection with the fatal stabbing of 41-year-old Kevin Seraphim following several hours of deliberations.
Lampkin, a resident of Central Amelia’s Ward, McKenzie, had initially been indicted for murder but was cleared of that charge. Instead, the 12-member jury returned an 11-1 majority verdict convicting him of the lesser offence.
The case was heard before Chief Justice Navindra Singh and arose from a violent confrontation that occurred on August 23, 2023, at Speightland, Lower Kara Kara, McKenzie, Linden.
Evidence presented during the trial indicated that the incident unfolded at a social gathering after Seraphim reportedly intervened in a dispute involving his girlfriend, who another man had allegedly slapped.
According to testimony, Seraphim confronted the individual and struck him with a bottle, triggering a chaotic confrontation that quickly drew in several others.
The man involved was said to be part of a group believed to be associated with a gang, and one member of that group was reportedly known to Lampkin.
Witnesses told the court that the situation rapidly intensified, with Seraphim arming himself with a bottle and stabbing one of the men, who fell into a nearby culvert.
The confrontation continued briefly before others intervened.
However, the violence escalated further as members of the group allegedly began pelting Seraphim with bottles, wood, and other objects, eventually forcing him into the culvert and preventing him from escaping.
Testimony heard during the trial indicated that Lampkin was seen entering the culvert with a knife, where Seraphim was subsequently stabbed.
Although the injured man managed to emerge from the culvert, he collapsed a short distance away as the assault reportedly continued.
Lampkin was later observed holding a knife with what appeared to be blood on it, according to witnesses.
Seraphim was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead.
A post-mortem examination conducted by forensic pathologist Dr. Nehaul P. Singh found that Seraphim sustained multiple injuries, including a fatal stab wound to the chest.
The report stated that the wound, located below the left nipple, penetrated the chest cavity, passing through the fifth rib, the lower lobe of the left lung, and into the left ventricle of the heart.
The wound track measured approximately 12 centimetres.
The cause of death was given as perforation of the heart and lung due to the stab wound.
Lampkin was arrested on September 14, 2023. When cautioned, he denied involvement, telling police, “Me ain’t murder anybody,” and later, “Me ain’t bore nobody, me ain’t went on the incident.”
He was later identified during an identification parade conducted two days after his arrest and was formally charged on September 18, 2023.
A prima facie case was subsequently established, and he was committed to stand trial on March 27, 2025, at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, where he remained silent when allowed to respond.
During the trial, defence attorney George Thomas maintained that Lampkin was not involved in the attack, initially suggesting that his client was not at the scene but had instead assisted in transporting an injured person to the Linden Hospital Complex.
He also argued that the fatal injuries could have been inflicted by someone else and raised concerns about the manner in which the identification parade was conducted, suggesting that Lampkin had been unfairly singled out.
However, the court heard that investigators followed the proper procedures in conducting the parade.
In his defence, Lampkin later gave an unsworn statement from the dock, admitting he was present at the incident but denying any role in the violence, claiming he was only an observer.
This account differed from the earlier position advanced by his attorney.
Lampkin also alleged that he had requested to contact his family and an attorney before the identification parade, but was not allowed to do so.
Evidence presented, however, indicated that shortly after the parade, items had been delivered to him at the police station by those same relatives.
The prosecution was led by State Counsel Geneva Wills, with assistance from State Counsel Christopher Belfield.
Lampkin is expected to return to court on April 20 for sentencing.
