City Constable slapped with manslaughter charge

Bourda shooting

Days after 34-year-old vendor Marlon Fredericks of Tiger Bay, Georgetown was shot dead on Regent Road, Bourda as he allegedly tried to escape lawful custody, the City Constable who reportedly shot him has been slapped with a manslaughter

charge.
Gregory Bascom of West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown appeared on Thursday to answer this charge before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Defence lawyer Roger Yearwood, in a bail application, told the court that Fredericks’s death was an “unfortunate incident”. He contended that his 50-year-old client was performing his duties as a constabulary rank at the time of the incident.
Attorney Yearwood also told the court that his client has since been interdicted from his duties as a Lance Corporal, and is being given only a half month’s salary.
Police Prosecutor Celine Evans did not object to the defendant being placed on bail, but requested that the court impose conditions for his bail. The Chief Magistrate released Bascom on $800,000, and ordered that as a condition for bail, the father of three must report every Friday to the Alberttown Police Station until the matter concludes. Additionally, he was ordered to lodge his passport with the court.
Reports are on Sunday, January 14, 2018, the now dead man allegedly dashed out of the City Constabulary lock-ups at Bourda in a reported attempt to escape. He was pursued by Lance Corporal Bascom, who allegedly shot him.
The case will continue on February 12.