At Demerara Assizes…
THE series of voir dire (trial within a trial ), which began on January 12 at the Demerara Assizes, continued for the 60th day yesterday.
So far, Justice Brassington Reynolds has completed two of the smaller trials and the third was in process yesterday.
The judge had previously said he will not rule on them until all are completed and the lawyers involved speculated that the substantive case may not end during the January criminal sessions.
In the dock are 17-year-olds Christopher Dhanraj also known as Paul Jagnandan, Azim Khan, Vijay Rajkumar called Eon and Kumar Seeraj nicknamed ’Boysie’, all indicted for the unlawful killing of Teddy Smith, at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, on October 24,  2004.
They are being represented by Defence Counsel Hukumchand, Kamini Parag, Euclin Gomes and Adrian Thompson, opposite State Counsel Ganesh Hira, Latchmie Rahamat and Rhondel Weever.
On the resumption yesterday morning, Rajwattie Jagnandanm, mother of the number one accused testified and the proceedings were adjourned to Monday.
The judge has 65 other cases on his list.