Complaint that foreman of jury knew father of deceased
BECAUSE  the foreman of the jury in the West Ruimveldt  murder trial  complained  to the judge  that he feels uncomfortable sitting as a juror after learning that the father of the deceased  was his friend, trial judge Justice William Ramlal ordered that the trial be aborted. After aborting the trial which began some days ago,  the judge discharged the entire panel of 12 jurors and ordered  that accused  Paul  Bagot , called Paul Moore , who allegedly murdered Abigale Gittens, 16, on September 30, 2004,  be brought back to court on Monday November 8, 2010,  to face a new trial.
Prosecutors  in  the case were  Miss  Rhondel Weaver in association  with Miss Shivani Balcharan.
On Monday last, the Prosecution called witness  Orin Gittens  who testified, among other things, that he was the  father of the girl who was allegedly murdered  on September 30, 2004 .
There was no eye witness to the alleged killing, but the prosecution was hoping to prove its case by means of circumstantial evidence.
It was during the testimony of the witness Gittens that the foreman of the jury learnt  that Gittens was  his friend.
On the resumption of the trial yesterday ,  the foreman  of the jury expressed his displeasure  to continue sitting in the case because of his  knowledge.
This was followed by a closed door session in Chambers attended by the judge, the  prosectors and defence counsel, where the decision was taken by the judge to abort the trial.
The  judge said  that what was done  was taken in the best interest of all concerned.
The  defence was represented by  Attorney-at-law Mr. Hukumchand,  in association with lawyers  Miss Sonia Parag and Miss Kamini Parag.