Criminal sessions opened but trials postponed to November
THE October criminal sessions of the Berbice Assizes opened with the traditional march past yesterday but trials will not start until November 22, as Justice Dawn Gregory-Barnes, presiding, will be proceeding on leave. As a consequence, unrepresented prisoners Mohamed Rasheed called ‘Boy’ and Gowkarran Ramdyal, both indicted for murder, were returned to New Amsterdam Prison to await new fixtures.
The judge, on being informed that only 38 of the 60 persons summoned had attended, admonished those in attendance that jury service is a civic responsibility which must not be taken lightly.
Alluding to submitted excuses for non-attendance, Justice Gregory-Barnes said the requests not to serve will not be granted, as persons have one month to address their issues, prior to the commencement of trials in November.
Twenty-six, including for murder cases, are listed for trial and Bench warrants have been issued for 10 accused, among them former Magistrate’s Court Clerk  Nigel Small, who faces a six-count indictment for falsification of accounts and possession of a firearm without licence.