THE February sessions of the Berbice Criminal Assizes opened on Tuesday with the usual fanfare and traditional parade by the Guyana Police Force ranks, dressed in ceremonial uniform.
Justice Brassington Reynolds took the salute at Esplanade Road, in front of the Berbice High Court in New Amsterdam. Accompanying the Criminal Judge, were Justice Nareshwar Harnanan, and Commander of the Berbice Division, Assistant Commissioner Brian Joseph.
Following the parade and march past, a mixed jury was empanelled in the case of the State versus Dharamraj Persaud called Kris and Yougeshwar Dhanaram known as Shem, Sham, or Joe Joe, who are jointly indicted for murdering Sasenarine Persaud alias Suraj on April 29, 2012.
The case has been adjourned to February 10, as the roll- over case involving Hallman Hunte and Sohan Busjit, who also face a joint murder indictment, is yet to be completed.
Meanwhile, 36 prisoners from the New Amsterdam Prison are requesting early trials at the Berbice Assizes.
Senior Superintendent of Prisons [Acting] Mr. Linden Cornett, in a Gaol delivery before Justice Reynolds, stated that murder accused Omar Bacchus, Navin Sugrim and Bheem Evans have indicated through written statements that they would like to have plea bargains.
Omar Bacchus has been incarcerated since September 5, 2008.
The list, containing the names of the prisoners which was tendered as an exhibit, revealed that 31 prisoners are awaiting trial for murder.
In addition, three are for sexual penetration, and one each for carnal knowledge and fraudulent conversion.
The delivery was ordered by the court and presented through State Counsel Judith Mursuline, moments before the opening of the session.