Adjourned manslaughter trial resumes today after judge illness
THE manslaughter trial of Thakumanie called ‘Dayo’ (only names given) was adjourned last Thursday after it was reported that presiding Judge James Bovell-Drakes was sick. The proceedings were scheduled to commence at 10:00 hrs on Wednesday but the Court Registrar, subsequently, informed the sworn waiting jury that the matter had been rescheduled for later that day at 13:00 hrs.
However, 45 minutes after then, the judge appeared not in the best of health, apologised for the delay and announced the adjournment to today.
Before the postponement, defence counsel Rabindranauth Singh gave notice of his intention to advance legal submissions in the absence of the jurors, prior the opening address by the State Prosecutor.
Sixty-four-year-old Thakumanie was on May 17, at the Berbice Assizes, indicted with the unlawful killing of her 65-year-old husband, Yodha.
She pleaded not guilty to the indictment which alleged that the offence was committed on April 27, 2008, at Rosignol, West Bank Berbice.
Prior to entering her plea, the accused indicated, to the court, that she suffers from a hearing impediment and is unable to hear well.
Consequently, she was allowed to stand in the well of the courtroom, from where she denied the allegation by shaking her head.
The judge, after explaining her options in the jury selection, advised her son-in-law, Seenarine Seecharran, that she needs to retain counsel.
“If not, someone will have to read the depositions to her, so that she can ask questions,” Justice Bovell-Drakes pointed out.
State Counsel Rhondel Weaver is prosecuting.