Murdered young men in Guyana are often condemned in death. Killed without a trial, conviction, or a sentence for death, like a public stoning, where even after livor mortis has begun, the stones continue to be thrown. Beyond their funerals, the interrogation of the dead continues, and often the murderer walks free. Instead of scrutinizing the murderer, the focus is shifted to the murdered. Any society where accusation, trial, and execution can occur on the spot and it is an accepted norm, is a society where the safety of all is under threat.
It is persons like Quindon Bacchus and Orin Boston whose mental and moral qualities are questioned and attempts made to make them culpable in their deaths. These men were killed months apart by police. Whatever allegations have been made to dishonour them in death, there should be unanimity that every accused criminal be given a chance to answer charges and defend themselves. The exception to this should only be if the lives of the police are in danger and it is kill or be killed.
The first story fabricated by the officers involved in the shooting death of Bacchus was that he shot at them during an undercover operation where he was said to be selling a gun. However, it has since been revealed that the gun Bacchus allegedly possessed was not in working order, so how could he have shot at them?
Even when the evidence that murder has occurred is overwhelming, there are those who will continue to blame the murdered. These members of our society are enablers and defenders of disorder. In a state of chaos, they will stand on soapboxes demonizing the dead and deluding themselves into thinking that they are voices of reason. Perhaps they also believe that they are not at risk of being murdered by the police while asleep, while unarmed, while running, or pleading for their lives.
A friend informed me of a post on social media where someone questioned the innocence of Quindon Bacchus. Mockingly, this person called Bacchus a saint and questioned who would take a gun to church. They also questioned if there would be justice for the murders and mayhem Bacchus illegal gun sales may have caused.
In seeking to hold the murdered culpable in their own deaths, it is usual for the enablers and defenders of disorder to speculate. I abhor gun violence because I have seen enough of its consequences. Two of my relatives died by gun violence. However, while we wonder and speculate about the destruction Bacchus may have caused by selling guns, the same efforts should be placed in investigating the deaths of the many young men who were killed by police over the last couple of decades by “legal” guns. How much destruction have members of the Guyana Police Force caused by committing crimes, such as murdering parents in the presence of their children? How many families have seen justice?
Whether Bacchus was guilty of selling guns or not, there should be due process for anyone accused of a crime. Did the police not have the chance to arrest him? Did they not have the chance to wound instead of killing him if he was trying to run? Was the only option to shoot him seven times?
While enablers and defenders of disorder crucify the common criminals, they often do not express the same disdain for those accused of white-collar crimes. It was only a few weeks ago when Vice News released part of their report on Guyana. Chinese involvement in corrupt practices were alleged but where are those calling for an investigation into the Chinese business practices here?
Serious allegations involving bribery were directed at Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and instead of calling for an investigation at least, there were those, who instead publicly expressed their support for the Vice President.
Boris Johnson resigned this week as prime minister of the United Kingdom after various scandals. Over 50 lawmakers from his party resigned in a 36-hour period. However, in Guyana, a plethora of allegations can be made against politicians and calls for their resignation or investigations are few or nonexistent. In Guyana those who wear suits and ties and sit in positions of power, those who wear policemen’s uniforms or those who are rich are protected by the defenders and enablers of disorder.
Policeman Kristoff DeNobrega was charged this week with the murder of Quindon Bacchus. Two other officers were also charged with obstruction of justice. Those officers are Thurston Simon and Damieon McLennon. They are before the courts for allegedly giving false information to investigators. Simon has alleged that he was threatened by his superiors to not divulge details about Bacchus’ killing and McLennon’s relatives are calling for his release since they think he is wrongfully accused. People are also questioning why the other officers who were on the scene were not charged with any crimes.
What always threatens to further destabilize this society even in our ‘One Guyana’ attempts is the subtle and blatant racism. The officers who have been charged along with DeNobrega are of African descent, but the officers of Indian descent who were also on the scene of the shooting, have not been charged. Is this a case where they were simply not culpable or is it a case of one group being protected in Guyana and another not? We need answers.
Guyana will continue to sink into an abyss, where corruption is an integral part of the Guyanese experience. Those who spend their time interrogating the deceased murdered by the police perhaps will never focus on the underlying issues that continue to propel this society into a state of chaos, such as many of Guyana’s young people being left behind. While there appears to be rapid development in Guyana for some such as the Chinese businessmen featured in Vice News, there are many Guyanese who do not possess the skills, the contacts or money to keep up with the changes. And, unfortunately, some of the underprivileged will turn to crime to survive when they notice the wealth gap between the rich and poor widening. And, unfortunately, the haves are under threat when this occurs. Do the enablers and defenders of disorder think it the solution for all these Guyana children left behind to be shot in the street? This while they continue to turn a blind eye to the white-collar crimes that keep many Guyanese impoverished.
We cannot have one set of rules for one set of criminals and another set for the others. Would a white-collar criminal be shot in the street by policemen? Ponder on that.
