At Demerara Assizes…
JUSTICE William Ramlal yesterday adjourned, to Monday, the Campbellville murder case at the Demerara Assizes, in which Defence Counsel Lawrence Harris is challenging the committal of the accused, Elroy Torres called ’Ellie’.
Harris, who was arraigned on Tuesday, is indicted for the unlawful killing of Elizabeth Hutson nicknamed ‘Shelly’, 38.
The final jurors were chosen after two panels had been selected. The first 12 were about to be sworn when one of them disclosed that the brother of the accused is her neighbour and she would, sometimes, speak to him.
As the Prosecution and the Defence had both utilised their allowed challenges without showing cause, Justice Ramlal directed that another 12 jurors be chosen.
Torres is alleged to have committed the capital offence on December 19, 2005.
However, because Defence Counsel was not served with the depositions until the morning the trial started, the start was put off to yesterday, so he could have an opportunity to study the documentation.
Harris undertook his challenge in Chambers and the judge granted him the adjournment to prepare his submissions.