Judge commends Inspector on credible evidence
JUSTICE Winston Patterson, the presiding judge in the Bee Hive rape trial, yesterday commended prosecution witness Inspector Noland Burnett for the credible way in which he had given evidence in the case.
The judge’s comment came after the last witness for the prosecution, Inspector Burnet, who was recalled to submit an occurrence book that was requested by the defence lawyer. The lawyer was challenging an  alleged confrontation between the accused  Tyronne Mortley and the virtual complainant at the Clonbrook Police Station during the police investigations, as alleged by Burnett.
During the cross-examination by defence counsel, Compton Richardson, the inspector was able to produce the book which supported the evidence given.
Following this evidence, the judge commended the Inspector, after noting that in the past, the police had been unable to produce  books required of them.       This morning the accused will begin his defence, after which his lawyer, Mr. Richardson will address the jury.
Then prosecutor Mrs. Teshana James-Lake, who is appearing in association with Mrs. Judith Gildharie-Mursalin, will make her final address to the jury.
Justice Patterson declared his intention to sum up the evidence to the jury tomorrow after which he would hand over the case to them for their consideration and verdict.
The accused had been indicted for having carnal knowledge with a 14-year-old girl of Bee Hive, Public Road, East Coast, Demerara, without her consent.
In her opening address, the prosecutor had assured the jury that she would lead evidence to prove to them that the accused had used the good relationship between the girl’s father and himself to sexually assault his friend’s daughter.