Scent of aromatic vinegar affects trial
JUSTICE Winston Patterson, the trial judge in the West Bank Demerara murder trial, who is conducting a  voir dire (a trial within a trial) to determine the  admissibility of an oral statement, was yesterday the recipient of a report  that his court was sprinkled with  a sweet-scented substance by a woman. A woman police who saw a woman attired in black and white enter the court room earlier than the usual time followed her only to be confronted by the strong smell of aromatic vinegar.
The constable also saw a set of cloves on the bar table section normally used by Defence Counsel.
The constable ordered the woman to leave the court.
The matter was reported to  the judge who frowned at the behavior of the individual which he said was symbolic of what some  people do in the wrong belief that their action would bring them glory.
When told that the scent had interfered with a prosecutor and a member of the jury for a short while, the judge deplored the behavior of the individual and continued conducting his voir dire which will continue today.