After aborted murder trial…
VERKAT Sammy Naidu and his son, Samjeet Naidu, of Lancaster Village, Corentyne, have been charged with attempting to influence Vigil Austin Cordel, in his conduct as a juror, by bribery or other corrupt means.

The defendants were ordered to each post $60,000 bail, by Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo at New Amsterdam Court, also in Berbice, until January 18.

The charge stemmed from the aborted murder trial of Eric Sookshine, who was indicted for the unlawful killing of his wife, Jashorda, on June 3, 2005.

Cordel was foreman of the jury chosen to deliberate in the case, which was almost at an end, during the October sessions of the Berbice Assizes, when there were reports of misconduct by relatives of the accused.

It was on November 3 that Justice Winston Patterson halted the trial after it was reported, to him, that approaches were made to member or members of the jury panel by persons connected to the accused.