PRESIDING Judge Dawn Gregory will on Thursday sum up the evidence in relation to accused Jean Lacruz, 36, who allegedly killed her husband Samkarran Singh on May 18, 2006.
It happened during a rum spree and argument relating to sex.
Defence counsel Mr. Peter Hugh, and leading prosecuting counsel Miss Rhondel Weaver, with Miss Teshana James, who were expected to address the jury on the resumption yesterday, declined to do so.
This decision was reached after defence counsel Hugh, who did not call any witness for the defence, and relied only on an unsworn statement, had refused to address the jury.
As a consequence, the Judge elected to sum up the evidence to the jury on Thursday, after which she would hand over the case to them for their consideration and verdict.
The lone evidence against the accused is a caution statement which her counsel objected to on the ground that it was not obtained in accordance with the judge’s rules.
However, the judge, who conducted a voir dire (a trial within a trial) in the absence of the jury to determine the issue, found that the statement was freely and voluntarily obtained and admitted same into evidence.

According to the statement of Jean Lacruz of lot 56 Vryheid’S Lust, East Coast Demerara, which had been read to the jury, the accused reportedly said that she had made the statement of her own free will.
In the statement, the accused said that she had stabbed her husband during a drinking spree.
The hearing continues on Thursday.