Court to rule Thursday on no-case submission in Quindon Bacchus murder trial

Police Lance Corporal Kristoff De Nobrega, who is on trial for the 2022 fatal shooting of 23-year-old Quindon Bacchus, will know on Thursday whether he has a case to answer. Justice Gino Persaud is scheduled to deliver his ruling on the no-case submission at 10 am at the High Court in Demerara.

De Nobrega, 24, is charged with the capital offence of murder and has pleaded not guilty. He is being represented by attorney George Thomas. The defence filed a no-case submission after the prosecution concluded its presentation, arguing that the evidence brought before the court was insufficient to warrant a conviction.

The charge stems from the death of Bacchus, a father of one, who was shot and killed on June 10, 2022 during a police operation at Haslington, East Coast Demerara. Police had reported that the incident occurred after Bacchus, who was allegedly armed, attempted to flee from ranks during a sting operation aimed at intercepting the sale of a firearm.

Following the shooting, Bacchus was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A post-mortem examination later revealed that he died from multiple gunshot wounds.

The case sparked widespread public outcry and protests across parts of the East Coast, with demonstrators demanding justice and accountability from the Guyana Police Force. The incident prompted the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) to launch an independent probe, which subsequently led to De Nobrega’s indictment for murder.

Justice Persaud’s ruling on Thursday will determine whether the trial proceeds or if the charge against De Nobrega is dismissed at this stage.