JUSTICE James Bovell-Drakes, presiding in the Cornelia Ida murder trial, yesterday, decided to hold a voir dire (a trial within a trial) to determine the admissibility of a deposition of a missing eyewitness.

Prosecutrix Miss Dhanika Singh, in association with Miss Natasha Backer, had applied to the court for the right to tender the deposition under Section 95, where certain legal requirements have to be provided.

On the other hand, a member of the defence counsel, Miss Latchmie Rahamat, is objecting to the move by the prosecution.

The voir dire, which began yesterday in the absence of the jury, will continue on Monday.
The substantive trial began on Wednesday, when the accused, Ganesh Singh,50, appeared at the Demerara Assizes charged indictably with the murder of his wife, Krishndai Singh, who was found at their Cornelia Ida home on June 12th 2009 with a fatal chest wound.
Ganesh Singh has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder, and is being represented by Attorneys-at-law Mr. Peter Hugh, Miss Latchmie Rahamat, and Miss Onasis Granville.

The hearing is continuing.