The policeman who is alleged to have fatally shot Patentia schoolboy Kelvin Fraser was remanded to prison yesterday when he appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson charged with the capital offence.
Quancy John, 30, of 325 Kuru Kuru, Linden-Soesdyke Highway was not required to plead when the charge was read to him by the magistrate. He was expressionless as the charge was read stating that on June 7 at Patentia he murdered Fraser.
He was represented by attorneys-at-law Donald Trotman and Hubert Rodney. Trotman told the court that John has been with the Guyana Police Force for over two years and this was his first appearance in court.
Meanwhile Rodney told the magistrate that while they would not be making a bail application, the defence lawyers were concerned with the dynamics of the case.
He indicated that on June 15 a letter was written to the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in which they applied for forensic tests to be carried out on the firearm used in the killing, as well as the clothing of the deceased and John. He added that although the police would have carried out their own investigations into the matter, the defence wanted an opportunity to do their own testing so that they can prepare their case. Rodney also said that he wanted the DPP to indicate to the court whether she will allow independent forensics tests on the firearm and clothing. He said the chain of evidence may be prejudicial to his client.
On the issue of remand, the attorney indicated that John was under close arrest but was later released into open custody. He added that he knew that both the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force have facilities to hold police officers who have been charged with criminal offences.
He said that the reason for his statement was that John was integral to the incarceration of four persons at the Camp Street Prison and they were concerned about his safety and security. He then made an application for John to be remanded to Eve Leary under close arrest or any other prison other than Camp Street.
In response to Rodney’s submissions, Prosecutor, Inspector Stephen Telford said that the Preliminary Inquiry into the matter would have to be conducted first. He added that there is no authority that stipulates that the prosecution should hand over its evidence.
Telford said that as it relates to the remand application, he knew of instances where out of concern for the safety of policemen, they have been remanded to the Lusignan lock-ups.
However, he made an application for John to be remanded to prison and an early date set for the commencement of the PI at the Wales Magistrate’s Court.
The magistrate then told the defence counsel that he would have to make his application when he appears before the magistrate at Wales. In reply, Rodney said he wanted to indicate concerns at an early stage so that they could be recorded.
He reiterated the point that he did not want an independent report to be given to him but rather to be allowed to have an independent body to test the articles. He then asked Telford if he was undertaking to have John sent to Lusignan.
Telford replied in the negative and stated that there have been instances where police officers had been sent to Camp Street. He added that his application is for John to be sent there.
John was then remanded and the matter transferred to the Wales Magistrate’s Court for the commencement of the PI on July 9.
A post-mortem examination found that Fraser died of shock and haemorrhage from laceration of the lungs caused by gunshot injuries. The teenager was shot in the left side of his chest at close range and several pellets were retrieved from his body. He was laid to rest on June 14.
The institution of the charge against the rank has ended weeks of public outcry for him to be charged. Two protests were held at the Wales Police Station and in Georgetown to demand that justice be done.
