THE commencement of trials at the Berbice Assizes has been postponed, again, due to the unavailability of a judge to preside.

The 60 jurors in waiting had returned to the High Court in New Amsterdam expecting to be selected in one of the many cases listed for the sessions.
However, they were informed by the Court Registrar that Justice Navindra Singh, who was assigned, is currently, presiding over the Lusignan murder case in which State Prosecutor Judith Gildharie-Mursalin is also involved.
Last month, Justice Roxanne George, who held the brief for Justice Singh, had revealed that the prosecution was also facing difficulty in locating accused persons as well as the respective witnesses in 30 cases.
State Prosecutor Diana Kaulesar had told the Guyana Chronicle that several visits were paid to the homes of the accused and the witnesses but without any success.
She remarked that: “Apparently, these persons have moved from their respective locations and have not left a forwarding address. In some instances, the homes in which they once lived, have either been sold or rented to persons who are not au fait with their whereabouts. Radio messages were also sent but no one has responded.”
Meanwhile, when contacted, a New Amsterdam-based prison official informed that a father and son, who are indicted for murder, are interested in having their trial begun and have already retained counsel.
In addition, while other prisoners have indicated that they want to adopt certain courses, others have complained of being locked away because of no fault of theirs.
The latter are, therefore, calling for a quick resolution of their situations, so they can move on with their lives.
The Berbice Assizes have now been adjourned to August 8.