TWENTY-seven-year-old Keno Lampkin, also known as “Cuz” and “Coues”, was on Wednesday sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for the fatal stabbing of Kevin Seraphim following a Demerara High Court trial that concluded on March 17, 2026.

In determining the sentence, Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh applied the established sentencing methodology by first identifying a starting point before considering aggravating and mitigating factors.

The court adopted a starting point of 25 years’ imprisonment for the offence of manslaughter

A jury had returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty on the charge of murder but found Lampkin guilty of the lesser count of manslaughter by a majority of 11:1 after nearly five hours of deliberation.

However, four years were deducted in recognition of Lampkin’s favourable prison report and his participation in rehabilitation programmes while on remand.

Despite this reduction, the judge found that no further mitigating factors applied.

Concerns were raised about Lampkin’s credibility after he altered his account of events during the trial, while the court also questioned the sincerity of his apology since he continued to deny responsibility for the killing.

The sentence was then increased by four years after the court considered the profound impact the death had on Seraphim’s relatives, as detailed in victim impact statements presented to the court.

As a result, Lampkin was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment. The judge further ordered that the time already spent on remand be deducted from the sentence.

The matter stemmed from an incident on August 23, 2023, at Speightland, Lower Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) while both men were at a party.

According to evidence presented in court, trouble began when 41-year-old Seraphim’s girlfriend was slapped by another man at the event.

Seraphim confronted the individual, leading to a heated argument that escalated into a physical altercation. The man was reportedly among a group of men, suspected to be a gang, and Lampkin was said to be part of that group.

Eyewitnesses told the court that Seraphim, while defending his girlfriend, armed himself with a bottle and stabbed one of the men, who fell into a nearby culvert. The confrontation intensified, with the men scuffling before being separated.

However, the situation quickly escalated. The group allegedly began attacking Seraphim, hurling bottles, pieces of wood and other objects at him, effectively trapping him in the culvert and preventing his escape.

Witnesses further testified that Lampkin was seen entering the culvert with a knife and stabbing Seraphim. The injured man later managed to exit the culvert but collapsed shortly after, and the group reportedly continued the assault.

A post-mortem examination revealed multiple injuries, including a stab wound to the chest caused by a sharp instrument measuring approximately 12 centimetres.

The pathologist also found evidence of blunt trauma to the head. The cause of death was determined to be perforation of the heart and lung due to the stab wound.

Victim impact statements tendered to the court detailed the devastating toll Seraphim’s death had on his family.

His sister, Yolanda James, described the deceased as her protector and biggest supporter, telling the court, “I was his only sister, and my brother was my biggest motivator and provider.”

She recalled that Seraphim helped pay for her Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) exams, and later bought her a laptop to assist with her studies at the University of Guyana.

“I feel robbed of my brother, and miss him dearly. I will forever grieve his loss. I would like to ask this court for justice for my brother.”

Seraphim’s mother, 62-year-old Paula Booker, said her son’s death left her traumatised and grieving deeply.

“My son’s death has significantly impacted our lives. We were very close, and spoke constantly on the phone,” she said. “I became ill and lost weight rapidly. It has been almost three years since he died, but his death is felt daily.” She added, “I will forever grieve and miss my son’s presence.”

According to a probation report prepared for the court, Lampkin was raised primarily by his mother in Linden and described his upbringing as stable despite financial challenges.

The report stated that he discontinued his education during his teenage years and later sought employment to sustain himself. Relatives and community members described him as easy-going, outspoken and friendly, noting that they were shocked by his involvement in the crime.

A pre-sentence report prepared by prison welfare officials noted that while incarcerated at Lusignan Prison, Lampkin participated in family reconciliation and wellness and success programmes and was described by officers as “quiet, peaceful, clean, and respectful,” with no infractions recorded against him.

Fellow inmates characterised him as pleasant and peaceful.

Despite expressing remorse, Lampkin maintained his innocence, telling the welfare officer: “I feel extremely sad, shame, and shock at the same time, knowing that I am behind bars for an offence I did not partake in.” He added, “There was no existing need for me to murder anyone. I always try my utmost to avoid conflicts whenever they seek to arise.”

Lampkin was arrested on September 14, 2023. When the allegation was put to him, he told investigators, “Me ain’t murder anybody.” As the investigation progressed and he was confronted with evidence, he maintained, “Me ain’t bore nobody. Me ain’t went on the incident.”

Two days later, on September 16, 2023, he was positively identified during identification parades and formally charged on September 18, 2023, at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

A prima facie case was later established, and he was committed to stand trial by Magistrate Ruschelle Liverpool on March 27, 2025.

During the High Court trial, Lampkin’s defence, led by attorney George Thomas, argued that he was not present at the scene and had instead gone to take an injured person to the Linden Hospital Complex.

The defence also challenged the integrity of the identification parade, though evidence presented indicated police followed the required procedures.

At the close of the prosecution’s case, Lampkin gave an unsworn statement from the dock, admitting he was present on the night of the incident but denying involvement, claiming he was merely a witness. Prosecutors highlighted that this contradicted the defence’s earlier position that he was not at the scene.

The prosecution was led by State Counsel Geneva Wills, assisted by State Counsel Christopher Belfield of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Lampkin was defended by attorney George Thomas.