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Soesdyke children murder…Third child dies, prison inmates beat accused killer
John Blanchard, who was charged on Friday with the murder of his two children,
received a sound thrashing from fellow inmates at the Camp Street Prison. And this happened about four hours before the third child succumbed in the Intensive Care Unit of the GPHC.
Kaieteur News understands that inmates attacked Blanchard some time after 20:30hrs on Friday night. The man was remanded on Friday following a court appearance to answer the murder charges.
According to prison sources, inmates threw a hammock over Blanchard’s head and started beating him with pieces of wood.
Someone close to Blanchard said that she got a phone call from a friend at 8:33 hours and was made aware of the beating.
Blanchard’s entire face was swollen and lacerated; inmates also burned his forehead or rubbed his head to an abrasive object. Kaieteur News understands that the beating lasted for about five minutes.
Prison officials only became aware of the incident yesterday morning and rushed Blanchard to the hospital, in a semi conscious state.
But prison sources said that from the time Blanchard entered the institution, tempers were high because the other remand prisoners let their anger known. They were angry that he killed his children. Criminals have no sympathy for child molesters, child killers and rapists.
A few hours later Blanchard was back in hospital, the victim of another vicious attack by the prisoners.
Up to late last night he was in the Male Medical ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital.
After his discharge yesterday morning officials from the prison had said that Blanchard has been separated from other prisoners.
Murder accused John Blanchard leaving the hospital yesterday, after being forced to seek medical attention
It would appear that they were reacting to the beating he suffered. This second round of beatings suggested that the man was not isolated, that there was some collusion between prison authorities and prisoners for violence to be perpetrated against Blanchard.
There are reports that this time around he was sodomised.
Yesterday morning, a number of persons at the hospital hurled remarks at Blanchard as he was leaving the institution.
And the man wept bitterly as he walked towards the prison van yesterday, to head back to the prison.
Relatives of the man said that Blanchard has expressed that there was no need for him to live, because society has already shut him out. He reportedly told an individual that his next court appointment is November 1, but that he will not be there to keep it. He reportedly begged for forgiveness and suggested that he would be going to a better place.
Meanwhile relatives yesterday told Kaieteur News that the last child, Joy Blanchard died early Saturday morning, in the Intensive Care Unit. Hospital sources said that the child never regained consciousness.
When this newspaper contacted the mother yesterday, she was very emotional stating that she could not speak with anyone.
“I’m by myself ….I really can’t talk with anyone right now; I’m too hurt and frustrated,” the woman cried.
The post mortem on the last child is expected to be done on Monday. Relatives said that most likely all three children would be buried together.
The 31-year-old food vendor was remanded to prison after he was charged with the murders of his two children, Belika Blanchard and his five-year-old son Daniel Blanchard on Friday last. At the time the third, Joy, was unconscious in the ICU of the Georgetown Public Hospital. Blanchard now faces a third count.
The accused had appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
It is alleged that on October 11, at their Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara home, he killed the two. He also seriously wounded a third child.
Blanchard who was unrepresented only had the support of his youngest sister, Anne Blanchard. He is one of eight siblings in the Blanchard family.
Some time between 21:30 and 21:45 hours on October 11, John Blanchard reportedly hacked his three children while they were asleep.
It is believed that John then contacted his wife, Onica Blanchard, via phone as she was in Mahdia at the time.
Initial reports are that Mrs. Blanchard left her home in search of a better job in the mining location. This publication was told that the multiple killings may have been sparked by a telephone conversation he had with his wife minutes before the incident.
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33 thoughts on “Soesdyke children murder…Third child dies, prison inmates beat accused killer”
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My sympathy goes out to both parties, he made his bed so he should sleep on it.
This action by this man is an abomination unto the Lord God Almighty,,,whatever a man sews that shall he reap,,if ever he lives, a life imprisonment until he grey,,grey,,,grey is a must for him to recieve from a Judge.
No sympathy from me for you john blanchard. Not one drop!
A SICK SICK MAN HE SHOULD GET HANG
I don’t agree mark I think he should be in isolation with pictures of what he did to his kids all around the prison walls and let his conscience get the better of him
I just cant pity this man.This story still have me shudder .However I am still wondering where is the mother in all of this?Things are hard ,I understand but how could a mother just pick up herself and leave those very small children.I dont live in Guyana but I think she could have tried to get a job that allowed her to be with those kids.
When I left Guyana for Europe I begged my son father to let him come with me ,my son was just 2years old.I could not imagine going and leaving him, although I knew his father would take care of him.
You already have a sense of why she left him with those kids, the grass that looks green over the fence is not always real grass, whether it be Man grass, or Woman grass.
times are so different and even if one does not want to leave they most times have to. He was a food vendor who at the time had or was recovering from malaria. if he was unable to provide at the time somebody had to mouths to feed, she probably knew someone in madhia who would have readily employ her to bring some extra help, instead of running to g’town to seek employment where money has to be spent to travel and not guarenteed a job. He knows she was unfaithful before and probably allow those thoughts to consume him. She seeking employment in madhia is no different from a spouse being deployed in the military either way they are apart from their family and all kinds of thoughts can consume them, the point is do they allow it. husband and wife could be in the same home and either person can be unfaithful. I feel his pain because i have a sibling his age and enjoying life is what he should have been doing.
Agree. A woman place is to be with her children and nurture them until they become adults. That is what u as mother sign up for when u decide to become a mother. She is just as guilty as the father.
Nice no sympathy on this guy, He best take the death penalty.
what a barbaric act, for a father to kill his innocent children as they sleep he had to be possessed. may God have mercy on his soul
As I read the story tears roll down my cheeks so sad, my sympathy goes out to the mother of the children may their souls RIP.
They have to put him in a cell an throw away the key, he is too wicked.
Well John Blanchard welcome to ‘hell on earth, and it is nothing compared to what you did to three innocent angels.
This is a national tragedy…the death of another child is a chilling reminder of more to come. Its like Guyana is stalked by the Angel of Death, where even the innocents are not spared. Am thinking if the Politicians will ramble about Buxton and known criminal gangs to fuel their agenda? I wonder if they know that they are pompous to say Women and Children are protected in Guyana.UG, the so-called professionals,the Authorities, the so many HIV/AIDS advocates have all failed us…its left to us the common people, like the French Revolution to effect change, not only politically but in communities and families to ensure a safe and habitable Guyana….
TWO WRONGS DON’T MAKE A RIGHT? Is this Justice?
I am not condoning the horrible, atrocious, cruel and dreadful crime that was committed by John Blanchard. In fact, combining countless types of specialized dictionaries such as Merriam – Webster, Oxford English, and American Heritage cannot describe the crime committed by John Blanchard. Clearly, only a mentally deranged person would have committed such utterly senseless acts.
Our society must answer the intricate unsettled and troubling question ..Do we allow prison authorities to bypass the criminal justice system and encourage criminals to measure justice to the insane, child molesters, child killers, and rapists? Of course, the collusion between the prison authorities and the criminals circumvented the process of obtaining justice through the criminal justice system. The prison authorities and the criminals acted as judge and juries to convict and sentenced John Blanchard to death even before he was convicted in the court of law. I feel morally compelled to condemn the actions of the prison authorities. Whatever one may think about the hideous crime and senseless act of John Blanchard, the prison authorities and the criminals should not take the law into their own hands. The Director of Public Prosecution should never condone the prison authorities and criminals to take the law in their own hands. Furthermore, I urge the Director of Public Prosecution to use his prosecutorial powers to investigate and prosecute the prison authorities who took the law into their hands. I am sure that our criminal justice system is capable of handling members of our society who commit such infractions or transgress the mores of our society. Martin Luther King stated “Injustice anywhere is a treat to justice everywhere” .
ow these angels still crying!
sirgrant, you are not really aware of the facts in the going on’s of the criminal justice system in Guyana today, their is no such thing as Justice, it is how much money you can afford to pay your way out of trouble, you should go to the courts and sit in on some of the cases where a monied person is on trial and see what transpires.
So to hold the prison authorities responsible for what happens to animals like child molesters, rapist, child killers is foolish, this kind of justice is meeted out in all prisons around the world, ask Jeefrey Dammer.
John Blanchard is a human being like us all. We should not judge. No one knows what he was going through or what led him to this heinous act. The prison authorities should protect him now not kill him faster. If this was your brother, uncle, cousin, friend, how would you like him to be treated while in prison? Trust me, the torture and pain he’s dealing with mentally and emotionally is enough to lead him to his grave. We as a society should not condemn but pray for his troubled soul and that justice rules the way it should. I would blame our government, our authorities…no support for the poor and troubled. As a fatehr and not being able to provide for his family, can you believe how that messed with his head? Think about that just for a brief minute. May the souls of those lovely kids rest in peace.
my sympathy goes out to ,MRS ONICA BLANCHARD…how could a man kill his own children wow,this hurt me so bad …children are a man’s joy …am lost for words,he should stay on remanded for the rest of his life…..
Let’s not judge Mr Blanchard here. There’s a justice system and that system should be in place.Yes, what he has done is beyond human but only God knows what drove him to this. There is a thin line in our psyche and something sent this man off.He is a Guyanese and he has a right to be protected by the authorities as does each of us if in this postion. I hope the prison authorities step up and protect this man now. He is already dealing with enough pain mentally and emotionally and now physically. He already feels like an outcast. I am not condoning his actions. Oh no I am not. He must pay but through the measures set out by this country. May the souls of his children rest in peace with their Heavenly Creator.
ouch man you couldn’t give these beautiful angels up to your sister before you did this!. Look how you ended these pretty picknie dreams, you ended it in there dreams.. ow man!
I AM SORRY FOR YOU WHEN YOUR TURN IS HERE TO REACH THE ALMIGHTY
This man is a monster ,he should not even be address as father of that three children. A child is supposed to be protected and felt safe when around their parents their sucurity is their home from the out side world not to be hacked in their bed while sleeping by the hands of their protecter. The law should not try his case because it’s like giving him justice, he should be put in a cell and cut off from society and die a every day death.
I would say: Let God be the Judge. Allow the Law to take its course. Let the man without sin cast the first stone. All of us have committed evil some way down the line. And the same penalty that goes out to this man MUST BE METED OUT TO ALL THE YOUNG WOMEN COMMITTING ABORTION/D&CS ETC. And the men who paid for these procedures ARE KILLERS TOO!!! You are not one drop better than this guy. Bob Marley’s song is so appropriate when it says: “If night would turn to day, a lot of people would run away”, Yes, we all are to be blamed for this sick society.
AND NOW, THE MEN OF GUYANA HAVE LEARNED THEIR LESSON, THEY WILL CHANGE, HA!!!!!!!!!!
my deepest sympathy and condolences to this griefing mother…may she find the strength ,,courage and faith to carry on in life after her 3 agels are laid to rest….may there young souls find enternal rest……and this monster live and suffer for what he did to those sleeping angels…he has no heart or mercy so no one should have for him…
every story has many sides, the good and the bad and the one we cant see . ———-saying of my Father and Mother
I absolutely have no problem with the prisoners presenting a reputation for 0 tolerance for rapist ,child molesters, etc, However there are several issues that emanate form this condition/tradition that speaks unambiguously and directly to double standards and by extension protracted crime.
1/ How does one reconcile rational with criminals relinquishing punitive measures.
2/ Beating a prisoner in custody is criminal whether or not we(society in general) feel that he deserves same or worst.
3/ Raping a prisoner in custody is STILL AN ABONIVATION!!!! and by the way may serve as an impetus for a certain section of society to commit similar crimes, talk half leff half.
4/ I have no doubt in my mind that this man is guilty and deserves (whatever punishment the judge decides) and probably more,,,but has anyone considered what would take place IF someone is wrongfully accused of a similar crime tomorrow morning????
5/ Finally,, I don’t hear anyone asking why is it that a similar fate wasn’t meted out to the pig that slaughtered an innocent man that was trying to make peace.. oh I get it, some bad crimes are bad and the other bad crimes are good. What a society we live in eh..
I feel your pain and sure the inmates should not take matters in their hands. all involve should be further punished. at 31 when you should be enjoying another phase of life you are in a penitentary with so much guilt, to the point of either being suicidal or thinking that you will be beaten to death. It sure was not worth it, the devil really finds work for idle hands and brains and if you cannot recognize him or his angels they can consume you. May their souls RIP and their dad find true forgiveness.
Collusion between prison officers and criminals have long been prevalent, but to encourage such blatant actions is unnecessary and all relevant persons should be held accountable. Let the judge and jury do their work. he is so guilty his own thoughts are tormenting him, for if he was “high”, or “intoxicated” when the act was committed, it sure has worn off and he sure is remorseful, because he has not only disrupted his life, but the life of his families and others who knows this was senseless.
i’m sure he knew he had that coming.
Guyana need spiritual and phycological help.
I hope he has time to be remorseful