— will begin hearing 2nd voir dire Monday
JUSTICE Roxanne George, presiding in the Ogle 3-man murder trial voir dire (trial within a trial), yesterday ruled in the first voir dire in the absence of the jury, and declared her intention to start the second voir dire on Monday. Although communicated to the defence counsel and the prosecution, the ruling was not disclosed to the jury, and the court does not expect to communicate this information to the jury until the conclusion of all the small trials.
The first voir dire was in relation to the number one accused, in respect to two alleged oral statements and an alleged caution statement which his counsel, Mr. Richardson, is contending were not obtained in accordance with the Judges’ Rules.
The second voir dire, which deals with an alleged caution statement said to be unlawfully obtained, is in relation to the number 2 accused.
The number 3 accused is not on record as having made any statement.
The accused are:
(1) Annandram Dhar Amraj, called “Alvin Duck Beak” and “Allan”;
(2) Naresh Boodhoo, called “Allu”, “Alloo” and “Taipaul”; and
(3) Hemraj Boodwah, called “Tilly”.
They are accused of having, on February 11, 2006, in Demerara, murdered Seeragie, called “Prowell Seerajie” and “Lalita”.
The first voir dire was in relation to the number 1 accused, who is alleged to have made two incriminating oral statements and a written caution statement.
The number 2 accused is also alleged to have made a caution statement which his counsel, Mr. Peter Hugh, is claiming was not made in accordance with the Judge’s Rules.
Veteran lawyer Mr. Compton Richardson is appearing for the number 1 accused. Mr. Hugh is appearing for the numbers 2 and 3 accused
Prosecutors in the matter are Miss Konyo Sandiford and Miss Renita Singh.
Hearing continues on Monday.