The state will be challenging a recent judgment by the Supreme Court, which awarded $24 Million to the family of Quindon Bacchus, who was shot dead unlawfully by the Police in June 2022, the Solicitor General has announced.

Speaking at a press conference over the weekend, Solicitor General Nigel Hawke, noted that while the State accepts full liability for Bacchus’ death, the quantum of the compensation awarded to the family will be challenged, since it is felt that there has been an overreach on the part of the Judge.

“We think that matter is worthy of an appeal to set the record straight at the appellate level because remember we are dealing with compensation and it is a large amount of compensation. We did accept liability, it is just the issue of quantum we are dealing with and I think the arguments as it relates to quantum, some of the considerations by the judge was over the appeal and that is why we have decided to appeal the matter,” Mr. Hawke said.

For his part, the Attorney General said when Judges are asked to access compensation it must be guided by previous award of similar circumstances, or, such a ruling could open the floodgates for wrong compensation to be given in the future.

“As the SG said we did not contest liability we felt that the police officers were wrong and there was a finding to that effect by the Police Complaints Authority, the DPPP filed criminal charges against the offending officers and against that backdrop we felt that it would have been wrong for the state to contest liability. So, we went to the judge and said the state is wrong, let us only deal with compensation, and compensation has to be assessed based on what is pleaded, the judge cant go outside of that and we felt that the Judge went into that area and granted reliefs that was not before him” Mr. Nandlall said.

Bacchus, a father of one, was shot dead on June 10, 2022 in Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD) by Police Lance Corporal Kristoff DeNobrega.

DeNobrega has been charged with Bacchus’ murder.

In addition to DeNobrega, two other ranks: Lance Corporal Simon and Sergeant McLennon, were also charged with attempting to obstruct the course of justice. Lance Corporal Simon was also charged with the offence of conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline.

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