Latest update April 14th, 2026 12:38 AM
Patentia schoolboy murder …“I did not murder Kelvin Fraser”- murder accused
Murder accused, Quancy John told the court yesterday that he did not kill Patentia schoolboy, Kelvin Fraser.
Accused Policeman Quancy John
John is on trial at the High Court before Justice Franklyn Holder and a mixed 12-member jury. He was indicted for the murder which took place on June 7, 2010 at Patentia Secondary School, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
According to reports, Constable John, who was attached to the Wales Police Station, (WBD) was on patrol with other ranks, when they responded to a report that a group of schoolboys were smoking what was suspected to be marijuana in the vicinity of the school.
The students, who were dressed in casual clothing, reportedly ran helter-skelter upon seeing the policemen. John, who was armed with a shotgun, is said to have fatally shot one of the schoolboys in a bid to capture him. He had claimed that the youth was accidentally shot during a scuffle, but was subsequently interdicted and charged with murder.
Yesterday, after electing to give an unsworn statement in his defense, John stood in the prisoner’s dock and told the court that he had reported for duty on the day of the incident. He said that he went to the La Grange Police Station where he was issued a shotgun and live rounds, before joining a patrol with other ranks later that day.
John said that the ranks subsequently received a report that a group of young men were in the Patentia Secondary School compound smoking and selling drugs. According to him, it was reported that the young men were also interfering with female students and teachers.
He said when the patrol vehicle arrived at the school; the ranks exited it “picked up” two of the young men and placed them in the back of the pickup truck. The accused said that he joined two of the ranks; Sergeant Singh and Constable Jack Smith who were also armed and together they entered the school yard since they observed a group of young men running. He said that he was instructed to pursue the youths, who ran in different directions.
John said that he pursued the victim until he reached Third Street, Patentia. The accused said that he shouted “freeze’ and the teenager stopped running. The teen was standing on the other side of a gutter and John said that upon his instruction, the teen jumped over and came to him.
“I immediately grabbed him and he reacted. We had a struggle for a short while. I am not sure what happened but I heard an explosion…He let me go and stepped back. I was almost sure that a round had been discharged from my firearm but I saw no injury to his body; no blood had appeared at the time. He suddenly fell down and rolled into the gutter. Upon acknowledging that he was not injured I rushed over and grabbed him and said “stop playing tricks man, get up.” I turned him over and saw what appeared to be blood on his upper chest,” the accused related.
John, who became emotional during his testimony, said that he was sorry for what had happened.
He added “many times after the incident, I tried to speak with the parents of Kelvin Fraser. I even asked the welfare at the prisons but they advised me against such.”
The accused noted that during his six year incarceration, he fell ill many times and was hospitalized twice.
“I tried to figure out what had happened. I am truly, truly sorry for what transpired that day, even though I cannot say what happened, I am not a violent person. I grew up in a Christian home and I fear God more than anyone else in the world. I did not murder Kelvin Fraser.”
Following the testimony, both Defence Attorney Glen Hanoman and State Prosecutor Diana Kaulesar submitted their closing arguments. The matter has been adjourned until Tuesday, when Justice Holder is expected to sum up the trial.
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