AT the close of the prosecution’s case in the Troy Smith murder trial Friday, defence counsel Mr. George Thomas elected to make a no-case submission in the absence of the jury.

Justice Diana Insanally, who sent the jury members out of sight and out of hearing in order to hear the legal submissions in their absence, did not agree with the defence submissions.
Hearing has been adjourned to tomorrow, when, according to the judge, Kissoon would give his defence.
Kissoon is indicted with having, in the County of Demerara, between July 30 and 31, 2010, murdered Troy Smith. Shawn Smith, the star witness for the prosecution and brother of the deceased, gave evidence to the effect that he was an eyewitness to the crime; but under cross-examination, defence counsel sought to point out that there were inconsistencies in the witness’s evidence as given in the magistrate’s court at the P.I. and the High Court before the judge and jury.
Defence Counsel also referred to what he called poor identification in the matter.
While Defence Counsel was of the view that there was no case for his client to answer, Prosecutrix, Miss Danika Singh was confident that a prima facie case had been made out by the prosecution.
Justice Insanally told the jury that the accused would give his defence tomorrow morning. After Kissoon has led his defence, lawyers for both the prosecution and the defence would address the jury.
If all goes well, the judge would sum up the evidence on Wednesday, after which she would hand over the case to the jury members for their consideration and verdict.

(By George Barclay)