At Demerara Assizes…
JUSTICE James Bovell-Drakes has deferred, to Monday, his ruling on whether or not the State has made out a prima facie case against Compton Fernandes alias ‘Mad Man’ who is on trial for murder at the Demerara Assizes. The accused is indicted for the unlawful killing of Latchman Seeram nicknamed ‘Coolie Boy’ on July 3, 2005 and State Prosecutor Judith Gildharie-Mursalin closed the case for the Prosecution on Tuesday.

The closure was after the judge ruled, following a voir dire (trial within a trial) that the deposition of missing eyewitness Marlon Wilson will be read to the jury.

Defence Counsel Glenn Hanoman had insisted that the witness be found as his testimony would be useful and the judge conducted the smaller trial at which five witnesses testified.

On the resumption yesterday morning, Justice Bovell-Drakes was about to call for a defence but Hanoman elected to make no-case submissions on which the judge will rule. (George Barclay)