ANOTHER mixed jury has been sworn in at the Berbice Assizes to deliberate in the case of the State versus Joshua Persaud, alias ‘Sunny Boy’ or ‘Bun Boy’, and Raphael Rene Morrison, called ‘Red Head’, who have been indicted for murder under the common law.

The duo allegedly killed Marlon Andrew Ramcharran on June 3, 2013.
The twelve-member panel was sworn after Justice Diana Insanally overruled preliminary submissions by defence counsel, Mursalene Bacchus. However, the trial will commence on Thursday, February 27.

Two weeks ago, when hearing in the case had commenced, Justice Diana Insanally had discharged the empanelled jury after reports of impropriety had surfaced.

That decision had been made after a juror had reportedly been seen conversing with a relative of the number one accused. An in-chamber investigation had reportedly revealed that that conversation had been related to a banking-related issue. However, on that occasion, State Prosecutrix Ms Renita Singh had said she was uncomfortable with that development, and had asked for the empanelling of a new jury to deliberate the case.

At the first hearing, Justice Insanally had overruled the preliminary submission of defence counsel, Mursalene Bacchus, in which he had applied for severance of the joint indictment, in that there be separate trials for the accused persons.

The accused persons had pleaded not guilty to the murder indictment.

Eleven witnesses, including six police ranks, are expected to testify in the prosecution’s case.

(By Jeune Bailey Vankeric)