FOLLOWING an application by defence counsel for the adoption of a certain action to be taken in the West Coast Demerara stepfather murder conspiracy, Presiding Judge, Madame Dawn Gregory yesterday conducted a voir dire to determine the matter.After hearing arguments in the absence of the jury, from counsel on both sides, the judge has reserved her ruling at the trial within a trial to be delivered this morning.

Accused Bibi Shamiza Khan, also called ‘Sham’, Hoosman Khan, also called ‘Strong Man’ and Bibi Farida Khan, called ‘Pum’, are accused of murdering their stepfather, Motilall Singh, on September 7, 2009.
The prosecution conducted by Miss Natasha Backer, in association with Miss Mercedes Thompson, is contending that the murder resulted from a breakdown in relationship between the mother of the accused and the deceased, who were residing in the United States.
The Prosecution is alledging that a plot was hatched by the mother who allegedly sent US$ 7M to the accused with instructions to hire a killer to murder Motilall who was on a visit to Guyana.
The prosecution said that it is in possession of statements from the accused implicating themselves; but the accused, represented by Senior Counsel, Mr. Bernard De Santos, is denying this and is saying that while they were sick and receiving medication for diabetes, the police gave them a paper with instructions to sign their name.
In their defence from the witness box they said they had nothing to do with the death of Motilall Singh.
To sum it up, the accused Farida, represented by Mr. Bernard De Santos, has said exactly what the number one and two accused earlier testified.