–Defence lawyers make no-case submissions

THE prosecution in the Mahaica felony murder trial closed its case yesterday after calling 14 witnesses.The witnesses, including three eye witnesses, had testified about seeing two men ride up on a motorcycle at Hope, East Coast Demerara on August 20, 2010 where the felony murder occurred. According to the witnesses, one of the men who was armed with a gun demanded a bag with money and shot and killed Lakhram Bishundial, called ‘Mohan’, in a parked lorry and took away from another vehicle a bag that contained $500,000 that was earlier withdrawn from a city bank to purchase articles for a wedding ceremony
The witnesses were skillfully cross-examined by Attorney-at-law Mr. Trenton Lake representing number one accused Shawn Anthony Thom and Mr. George Thomas, representing the number 2 accused Orrin David, called ‘Plait hair’.
The evidence of the eyewitnesses was regarded by the defence lawyers as unacceptable.
At the closure of the prosecution’s case, Mr. Lake elected to make no-case submissions in the absence of the jury, where he was seeking to have the case against his client thrown out by the judge on questions of law.
Defence Lawyer Thomas also addressed Justice Franklyn Holder with the hope of getting his client freed on a question of law.
When the trial resumes today Senior State Counsel, Mrs. Judith Mursalin, who is conducting the case for the prosecution, will reply to the defence submissions.

(By George Barclay)