LAWYERS who were to make their final addresses to the jury in the Lloyd Britton murder trial on Friday will now have to do so on Monday, as one of two witnesses who were expected to testify in the matter was unavailable on Friday.Lloyd Britton is facing Justice James Bovell-Drakes and a mixed jury at the Demerara Assizes for the alleged murder of Elvis Fernandes, which reportedly occurred on July 26, 2013 when Fernandes was reportedly in a minibus and Britton allegedly shot and killed him. Britton was subsequently arrested and charged with murder, but has since denied the allegation.

State Prosecutor Orinthia Schmitz is heading the case for the prosecution, while Attorney Nigel Hughes is defending the accused. The prosecutor had earlier told the jury that if, at the end of the case, they were unsure of the guilt of the accused, it was their duty to find him not guilty. She also urged the jury not to have sympathy for anyone — the deceased, the accused, or their families. However, she warned: “If you are sure that the accused is guilty of murdering Elvis, then it is your duty to find him guilty.”

The jury’s decision must be based on the evidence “in this court and nothing else”, she admonished.

Following the presentation of evidence by the last witness, defence and state counsels will begin their addresses to the court. Thereafter, Justice Bovell- Drakes would sum up the evidence to the jury, after which he would hand over the case to them for their consideration and verdict.