SECOND in charge of the Police Berbice Division, Senior Supt. Christopher Griffith, yesterday testified for the prosecution in the Non Pariel murder trial  voir dire (a trial within a trial) at the Demerara Asizes. The voir dire is being conducted by, Justice Winston  Patterson to determine the admissibility of caution statements by accused Kennise Glasgow, called ‘Zachey’ or ‘Juma’, and Dexter Headley, alias ‘Mas’, given to the East Coast Demerara police relating to the murder of Davechand Appanna, of Non Pariel, East Coast, Demerara.
During the hearing, the leading prosecutor, Ms. Techana James-Lake, attempted to put in as evidence alleged caution statements by both accused, which were objected to by defence counsel, Mr. Basil Williams and Mr. Maxwell Mc Kay.
Counsel told the judge that they were objecting on the ground that the statements were not obtained in accordance with the judges’ rules.
This sparked off a voir dire by the judge in the absence of the jury.
The first voir dire, dealing with the statement of the accused Dexter, has been completed.
The judge who is at present conducting the voir dire in relation to the number one accused, Kennise Glasgow, will deliver his ruling at the conclusion of the present smaller trial.
Senior Supt. Christopher Griffith, now in Berbice, was attached to the Vigilance Police Station as Officer in Charge, when Glasgow is said to have made the statement to another policeman in 2004.
This smaller trial was postponed for some days due to the sudden illness of a juror.
The juror turned up in court yesterday, intimating that his recovery would enable him to carry on.
The voir dire was continued yesterday, with Senior Supt. of Police concluding his testimony.
The voir dire continues on Monday, when the prosecution is expected to call further witnesses.
Leading prosecutor, Ms. James-Lake is appearing in association with Ms. Judith Gildharie-Mursalin.