Beating to death of suspected thief
Commander Hicken places a comforting hand on the hand of the late Eldon Sampson’s mother as he assures her that her son’s killers would be captured
Commander Hicken places a comforting hand on the hand of the late Eldon Sampson’s mother as he assures her that her son’s killers would be captured

Hicken assures parents of victim that police hunting killers

SENIOR Superintendent, Clifton Hicken and a group of senior officers from the Police ‘A’ Division that he commands on Saturday visited the family of Eldon Sampson, whom Samatta Point residents of Grove, East Bank Demerara had chased down several streets on Friday morning, and had beaten to death when they eventually cornered him.

Commander Hicken and his team of police officers addressing the mother of the late 25-year-old Eldon Sampson
Commander Hicken and his team of police officers addressing the mother of the late 25-year-old Eldon Sampson

The late Sampson had been accused of snatching a teacher’s bag, which reportedly contained a laptop, $50,000 cash and a mobile phone, among other items. The bag was found on his person with the items contained therein, and the items were handed back to the teacher.

Speaking to Sampson’s parents, the commander indicated that the Guyana Police Force is the only institution permitted by law to bring perpetrators of wrongdoing to justice, regardless of the gravity of the offence allegedly committed; and the police are constrained to apprehend wrongdoers in a humane manner.

Hicken said the Guyana Police Force would not condone any type of vigilante killing of any citizen, and he assured Sampson’s parents that the police are actively pursuing the persons responsible for Sampson’s beating death.

Sampson’s father (centre), along with Commander Hicken and another police rank, listens as the woman pleads for justice to be served
Sampson’s father (centre), along with Commander Hicken and another police rank, listens as the woman pleads for justice to be served

Father of the deceased, Mr. Elvis Sampson, responded that he was comforted and relieved by the commander’s assurance that his son’s killers would be brought to justice. He said that, after the incident, he was of the view that based on the crime his son may have committed; the punishment meted out to him by persons in the area would have gone without lawful intervention.

He expressed confidence that the police would stumble upon leads that could bring the killers to justice; since, according to him, there are persons who saw what had happened, and they should come forward.

In the past, the police have been arresting and charging persons who participated in vigilante-type justice, which is often responsible for the loss of lives of persons suspected to be involved in wrong doing.

At present, several persons in Berbice are before the courts for the practice of meting out vigilante justice; and according to Hicken, the Police Force has an obligation to serve and protect all of Guyana’s citizens.

He iterated that it is only the courts which can determine if persons suspected of being involved in unlawful activities are guilty or not.

During Commander Hicken’s Saturday visit, the mother of the young Sampson could not contain her emotions as she battled to deal with the loss of her son. She said that her son went to jail for something he did not do, and now that he is out, persons have taken his life after blaming him for being involved in similar activities.

However, the man’s father did indicate on Friday that he is aware that his son is often accused of being involved in illegal activities. He said that whenever his son had acquired money, his mother would question him, and he would usually inform his mother that he got his money by working.

(By Leroy Smith)

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