AFTER the mixed jury at the Berbice Assizes had twice failed to arrive at a verdict in relation to the Pestano father and son murder case, a subsequent petition for bail was granted by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang.

The petition of Rookmin Pestano, through Attorney-at-law Peter Hugh, was accepted, and the men Roy (Snr.) and Raymond Pestano were granted pre-trial liberty in the sum of $450,000 each.
The Pestanos second trial had concluded two weeks ago, because the jury had failed to reach a verdict, after deliberating for over three hours.
Consequently, the then presiding Judge Navindra Singh ordered that the duo be further remanded until their third trial.
After the order had been given, the elder Pestano was overheard saying that he hoped to have an early trial.
The Pestanos are accused of unlawfully killing their relative Davindand Ramlagan on October 19, 2002 at Number 41 Village, West Coast Berbice.
In her address to the jury, prosecutor Renita Singh, had referred to the overwhelming evidence and urged the jury to return a verdict in keeping with the oath they had taken and the dictates of their conscience.