An outstanding Lawyer and excellent sportsman: Tributes pour in for Murseline Muchu Bacchus

Jul 05, 2025 Sports

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By Samuel Whyte

Kaieteur Sports – With a dream of changing his village from the stigma that permeated it, renowned attorney at Law, Senior Council Murseline Bacchus went a far way in achieving that objective.

Murseline Bacchus, AKA Muchu Bacchus, was one of a kind. Born at Lot 90 Sheet Anchor Village, East Canje, Berbice. Bacchus lived all his life at the same address, with an office at Charlotte Street, New Amsterdam. He was 83 years old when he died recently.

Although he reached immeasurable heights to become one of the leading attorneys in Guyana, he was not born with a ‘gold spoon’ in his mouth. Coming from humble beginnings, the simple village boy, always wanted to do things that had lasting effects in his village and people.

He began working as a legal clerk even before attending Berbice High School in the evenings to pursue his GCE education where he excelled. He also succeeded at his advance level subjects.

He then attended the University of Guyana, then to the University of the West Indies, before going to the Hugh Wooding Law School where he graduated with honours.

He was in the first batch of Guyanese lawyers to be trained in the West Indies 50 years ago. Among others were Mayo Robertson. The late Chief Justice Ian Chang was one year his junior. They paved the way for generations of Caribbean-trained lawyers to follow.

Bacchus was not only about legal matters. He was on top of his game in all aspects of current affairs.

According to his longtime friend and villager, retire GDF Warrant Officer Bunny Stewart, Bacchus was seen as a role model in Sheet Anchor and nearby villages.

Stewart, who now lives overseas, was among the GDF ranks that hoisted the Guyana Flag on Guyana gaining Independence in 1966. He is the only surviving member of that expedition. He stated that Bacchus paid for his early education.

Bacchus excelled in sports. He was a lover of birds and an excellent cook.

He shone in Cricket. He founded the Sheet Anchor Youths Cricket Club. He captained, served as the wicketkeeper and opened the batting for the team. He did likewise for the Vooburgh Cricket Club that went on to win the Taylor Cup Cricket Competition in Berbice. Bacchus was equally as dynamic in the softball arena.

He played Billiards, Poker, Pools, Cards, Dominoes all with success.

He was a member of a number of sporting organizations including the Berbice cricket board. He was a founding member of the Young Warriors Cricket club. He was also a founding member of the Flying Ace Cycling Club where he served as Vice President until his passing.

A community and sports activist, Bacchus was a cricket enthusiast until his passing.

As a Philanthropist, he assisted most of whom come for help. He would help promote and sponsor activities in addition to doing a number of cases pro bono. He is owed millions of dollars.

Renowned for his work in Guyana. He served the legal profession with distinction for five decades. He excelled in all speres of law.

Mr. Bacchus was from the old school. He did most of his research from books. Practitioners and judges alike, benefitted from his research and skills.
Appointed Senior Counsel by President David Granger in 2020 and inducted into the Inner Bar the same year, he was the only Berbician to be bestowed with Senior Counsel in decades and was the only one at the time of his passing.

His achievements were extraordinary. He did thousands of cases and challenged many decisions made by judges and the DPP.

He was the first Lawyer to get bail for his client who was on remand for murder. He challenged decision of the DPP and got them reversed.

Bacchus worked every day including holidays. He was described as one of a kind, was selfless in his doing and in pursuit for justice. Hailed as a distinguished and respected member of Guyana’s legal fraternity who served the people of Guyana with unwavering dedication.

Mr. Bacchus argued numerous high-profile cases, many of which are reported in the West Indian Reports. He was the lawyer most of his colleagues turn to for guidance.

Bacchus was admired tremendously, described as a legal eagle who lived his purpose and one who dedicated his life to a noble profession. His legacy will live on in the lives he touched. The void left by him will be difficult to fill.

Tributes have poured in from all quarters in Guyana and overseas.

The Berbice Cricket Board joins in extending heartfelt condolences to his wife and children, including Attorney-at-Law Patricia Bacchus, and all who grieve his loss.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

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• Berbice, Berbice Cricket Board, lawyer, Murseline Muchu Bacchus, Sheet Anchor Youths Cricket Club

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