Jury convicts alleged gang member of manslaughter in Linden fatal stabbing

A jury on Tuesday found Keno Lampkin, also known as “Cuz” or “Coues,” guilty of manslaughter in the killing of 41-year-old Kevin Seraphin, following nearly five hours of deliberations. Lampkin, also called Keno Lumpkin of Central Amelia’s Ward, McKenzie, had been on trial for murder but was unanimously acquitted of that charge. The 12-member jury, however, returned an 11-1 majority verdict finding him guilty of the lesser offence of manslaughter. The case was heard by Chief Justice Navindra Singh and stems from a violent altercation on August 23, 2023, at Speightland, Lower Kara Kara, McKenzie, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
According to evidence presented in court, the incident began during a party after Seraphin’s girlfriend was slapped by a man, prompting him to intervene. Seraphin reportedly confronted the individual and struck him with a bottle, sparking a confrontation that quickly escalated into a physical altercation involving several men. The man involved was said to be among a group suspected to be a gang, one of whom reportedly had a prior issue with Lampkin, who was also present.
Eyewitnesses testified that during the confrontation, Seraphin picked up a bottle and stabbed one of the men, who fell into a nearby culvert. The two men scuffled before being separated. However, the situation intensified when members of the group began attacking Seraphin, hurling bottles, pieces of wood and other objects at him, forcing him into the culvert and preventing his escape. It was further reported that Lampkin was seen entering the culvert armed with a knife, where he stabbed Seraphin. The injured man managed to run out but collapsed shortly after, while the assault reportedly continued. Lampkin was later seen with a knife bearing what appeared to be blood. Seraphin was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A post-mortem examination (PME) conducted on August 24, 2023, by pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh revealed that he sustained multiple injuries, including a fatal stab wound to the chest. The cause of death was given as perforation of the heart and lung due to the stab wound. Lampkin was arrested on September 14, 2023 and when cautioned, he told police, “Me ain’t murder anybody,” and later stated, “Me ain’t bore nobody, me ain’t went on the incident.”
He was positively identified during an identification parade conducted on September 16, 2023, and was subsequently charged on September 18, 2023. A prima facie case was later made out against him and he was committed to stand trial in the High Court on March 27, 2025 at the Linden Magistrate’s Court where he remained silent when given the opportunity to respond. During the trial, Defence Attorney, George Thomas argued that Lampkin was not present at the scene and had instead assisted in transporting an injured person to the Linden Hospital Complex. He also contended that the fatal injuries may have been inflicted by others and challenged the integrity of the identification parade. In his defence, Lampkin later gave an unsworn statement from the dock, admitting that he was present at the scene but denying any involvement in the attack, claiming instead that he was merely a witness. This account differed from the defence’s earlier position that he was not at the scene. The prosecution’s case was led by State Counsel Geneva Wills, assisted by State Counsel Christopher Belfield, while Lampkin was represented by Attorney George Thomas.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 20.