By George Barclay

A 12-MEMBER mixed jury was sent out of sight and hearing yesterday while presiding judge Madame Jo-Ann Barlow conducted a voir dire to determine the admissibility of an alleged caution statement by the accused Lakeraj Fredericks.
The judge decided on this measure yesterday after defence counsel Lawrence Harris questioned certain aspects of a caution statement allegedly given to the police by the accused.

The voir dire (trial within a trial) began yesterday afternoon with State prosecutrix Miss Shonette Austin calling as her first witness former Police Corporal, Troy Yorrick, who is now in the mining business at Port Kaituma, North West District.

Accused Lakeraj Fredericks of Linden is indicted for the murder of Clifton Bonus called ‘Nutts’on June 3, 2011.

Government Forensic Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh was among the witnesses to be called on the resumption yesterday. Among other things, he testified that he performed a post mortem on the body of Clifton Bonus.

According to him, the body was in a state of decomposition.
Another witness, Karen Lashley, the mother of the deceased also testified. She, having one leg, was permitted to give her evidence from a chair in the well of the Court. The witness told the Court about her experience in trying to get her son on the telephone but receiving voice mails instead.

Sgt. Eon Jackson, the Police expert in Arms and ammunition, said that he had examined a damaged warhead and metal fragment, which had been sent to him for analysis.

The voir dire is expected to conclude today when the substantial trial will resume.

Lawyer Siand Dhurjon is assisting in the prosecution, while Hewley Grifitrh is assisting Harris with the defence.