THE murder trial involving accused Christopher Dhanrad also known as Paul Jagnandan, Azim Khan, Vijay Rajkumar called Eon, and Kumar Seeraj called Boysie, for the murder of Teddy Smith on October 24, 2004, began yesterday with a voir dire.

The voir dire (a trial within a trial) is being conducted by Justice Brassington Reynolds at the request of Leading Prosecutor Mr. Ganesh Hira.

Mr. Hira, who is appearing for the prosecution in association with Miss Latchmie Rahamat and Miss Rhondel Weever, had wished to discuss at the beginning certain areas of law in the absence of the jury, since the jury were judges of the facts, and the judge was concerned with the law.

Agreeing with the prosecutor, Judge Reynolds told the jury that he was going to excuse them from the Court room while the question of law was being discussed as the law will have to be resolved in their absence.

Before they left the jury room he told them, “In so far as the facts are concerned, you are the judges of the facts. You will determine how much of what you have heard you believe and accept in the facts of this matter. That is entirely your domain…a question of fact.”

According to the particulars of offence, the accused on the 24th day of October 2004, in the County of Demerara, murdered Teddy Smith.

They have pleaded not guilty and are being represented by Lawyers, Mr. Huckumchand, Miss Kamini Parag, Mr. Euclin Gomes and Mr. Adrian Thompson.
The hearing is continuing.