At Demerara Assizes…
JUSTICE James Bovell-Drakes yesterday started a voir dire (trial within a trial) in the Joanna Danhai double murder case at the Demerara Assizes.

The smaller trial is to determine the admissibility of an alleged caution statement attributed to the accused, who is indicted for the unlawful killing of Jamal Danhai on August 30 and Keisha Danhai on August 31, both in 2005.

Defence Counsel James Bond triggered the proceedings continuing today, by challenging the attestation, on the ground that it was not obtained in accordance with the Judges’ Rules.

So far, the Prosecution, being conducted by State Counsel Judith Gildharie-Mursalin, Shivani Balcharran and Prithima Kissoon, has called supporting witnesses, among them Assistant Superintendent Hugh Jessamy and Detective Sergeant Narine Lall of Leonora Police Station, who testified yesterday.

The jury, of seven women and five men, remain out of the courtroom while legal arguments are taking place. (George Barclay)