JUSTICE Navindra Singh, at the Demerara Assizes, yesterday admitted in evidence the confession statement of Jevon Wharton, the number one accused in the Mocha schoolgirl rape and murder case.The deposition was accepted after the judge, following the conduct of a voir dire (trial within a trial), ruled that it was given freely and voluntarily.
Defence counsel for Wharton, Mr. Raymond Ali had objected to the attestation being tendered, on the ground that it was obtained in breach of the Judges’ Rules.
The judge conducted the smaller trial in the absence of the jury and after that ruling, last Thursday; the judge began holding another voir dire, because other defence counsel, Mr. George Thomas, for number two accused Carl Cush, made an objection to the prosecution tendering a caution statement attributed to the latter.
That second inquiry began last Friday and was continuing yesterday.
The case for the prosecution, being conducted by State Counsel, Mrs. Judith Mursalin and Mr. Mark Conway, is that the prisoners attacked and raped nine-year-old school girl, Sade Stoby, who was murdered in furtherance of the felony.
In the confession, Thomas admitted having sex with the girl but said, after she slipped, fell and hit her head, he picked up his bicycle and rode away.
The trial is continuing.
By George Barclay