Judge to rule on caution statement Monday
WHEN the voir dire (a trial within a trial) in relation to the Compton Fernandes murder trial continued on Monday, defence counsel Mr. Glenn Hanuman for the accused called Georgetown Hospital Psychiatrist Bhairo Harry as one of his witnesses. The other witnesses called in support of the defence in the voir dire were the accused Compton Fernandes, who gave evidence on oath, and his mother Desiree Jacobs.

Earlier, Prosecutor Miss Judith Girdharie-Mursalin had closed her case on the directions of Director Miss Zamilla Ali . The other prosecutor is Miss Shivan Balcharran.

The Prosecution had called two witnesses in the voir dire – Constable Bobb Blackman and Corporal Cummings.

The lawyers made their final addresses in the voir dire to Justice James-Bovell-Drakes yesterday. The judge declared that he would deliver his ruling on Monday afternoon.

Compton Fernandes is accused with having,on Sunday July 3, 2005, in the county of Demerara, murdered Lartchman Seeram, also called ‘Coolie boy’.

He has pleaded not guilty.

The judge is conducting the voir dire to determine the admissibility of a caution statement which the defence is objecting to on the ground that it was not obtained freely and voluntarily.
The hearing is continuing.