CONCERNS have been raised over the inability to contact either the accused or the witnesses in 29 cases listed for trial at the June sessions of the Berbice Assizes.

State Prosecutor Diana Kaulesar told the Guyana Chronicle, that several visits were made to the homes of the indicted persons, as well as those of witnesses, but without any success.
“Apparently, these persons have moved from their respective given addresses and left no forwarding ones. In some instances, the homes in which they once lived have either been sold or rented to others who are not au fait with their whereabouts.
“Radio messages were also sent but no one has responded,” she lamented.
Consequently, Justice Dawn Gregory-Barnes told the 62 expectant jurors that the State is unable to start any case, because the accused individuals cannot be located.
However, she said she is optimistic that a trial will commence shortly and she announced an adjournment to June 25.
Justice Gregory-Barnes indicated that if, by then, a start cannot be made, then they will be asked to return when another judge would preside.
Meanwhile, Bench warrants have been issued for the  arrest of the indicted absentees: Newton Hope, Toney Ramraj, Raymond and Roy Pestano, Rama Babulall, Mark Giddings, Carlton Haynes, Dhanraj Kumar, Jameer Khan Rasool, Sheldon Adams, Simon Herdle, Deoraj Ramkellawan, Clayon Douglas, Debra Roberts, Ravindranauth Bishwakiswar also called ‘Ganesh’, Satyavan Bhawan, Badrinauth Budram called ‘Beesham’, Beesham Gopaul known as Thakoor, Fazad Roy Hussain, Walter Scott, Talbert Mc Pherson, Anil Chandra, Marvin Bassoo, Anthony Melville, Jabeer Fresco alias ‘Bull’, Suresh Chan Latchman, Sherwyn Aaron, Nigel Small and Mohan Bhoje called ‘Judha’,
The case of Bernard D’Aguiar, accused of carnal knowledge and incest has been discontinued.