By George Barclay

LAWYERS representing the defence and the prosecution in the Anthony Morrison murder trial addressed the mixed jury at the Demerara Assizes yesterday.

Following this, presiding judge Miss Sewnarine Beharry decided to sum up the evidence to the jury on Friday, after which she will hand over the case to them for their consideration and verdict.

Morrison went on trial for the alleged murder of his former lover Donna Thomas of Leopold Street in 2012.

Morrison pleaded not guilty and is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Mr. Arun Gajraj.

The prosecution, led by Miss Stacy Goodings in association with Mr. Siand Dhurjon, urged the mixed jury to accept the prosecution’s case which is partly built on an alleged oral confession and circumstantial evidence.

But defence counsel Mr. Gajraj exhorted the jury to disbelieve the State’s case, and contended that the story that the accused had made an oral confession to the police was a fabrication. He claimed that from the magistrate’s court, the police were unable to produce the book in which the alleged oral confession was recorded.

This oral confession came about after witness Odel Percival told the prosecution that he was present at the Brickdam C.I.D. on May 31, 2012 when Constable Kyte contacted suspect Anthony Morrison who was in custody for the alleged murder of Donna Thomas.
According to the witness, after the allegation was put to Morrison after being cautioned, he replied: “I was going out and she did not want me to leave. She held on to me. I had a knife and I cut she upon she right hand and left. I did not know that would have happened to (her).”
The woman was later found dead and the accused, on the basis of that alleged oral confession, together with other evidence, was arrested and charged with murder.
The trial continues on Friday when the judge will sum up to the jury.