–after learning jury foreman facing ‘ganja charges

JUSTICE Jo Ann Barlow was on Monday forced to abort a murder trial in the Berbice Assizes just as the prosecution and defence were about to address the jury.
This was after Deputy Commander Edmond Cooper informed her that the forewoman of the jury was recently nabbed with 11 pounds of ‘ganja’, and is currently a remand prisoner at the country’s lone female penitentiary in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

The law, she said, required twelve persons to determine the case.
Taking the witness stand at the Berbice Assizes on Monday morning, Cooper said that following instructions from the Court, he confirmed that Tamasha Bristol, along with two others were nabbed with the illegal drug, and, following legal advice, the trio were charged with trafficking in narcotics and have since been remanded to prison.

Consequent to the testimony, the judge, addressing Elton Haynes, called “Bush Bull”, aged 25 years of Manchester Village; and Carlton Akeem Bourne, alias “Black Boy”, aged 26, of Whim Village, both Corentyne locations, said:
“Someone else will have to try you. The law says you must have 12 persons, and we only have eleven. I will order that you be tried early before a new panel at the February sitting of the Berbice Assizes.

“Further, you will never come before me again, so I want to take this opportunity to urge you to utilise your hands; do some carpentry or joinery as you await your trial so as to occupy yourself gainfully; so that you can be a benefit to the society.”
At their arraignment, the duo had pleaded not guilty to the unlawful killing of Corentyne businessman, Winston Ragnauth, known as Tony.

On November 7, 2012, the remains of the deceased was discovered in his bed at his Whim, Corentyne home in what is suspected to be a robbery-murder.
There were several wounds on his neck, hands and jaws, while a ‘Rambo’ knife marked ‘Taurus’, a green bag and foodstuff were seen on a table.
During the hearing, several policemen testified, including the deceased’s son Immanuel Ragnauth, now an ex-cop.

A voire dire (trial within a trial) was triggered, after defence lawyers Sasha Roberts and Tania Warren Clement of Legal Aid, objected to the admissibility of the statements attributed to the accused, citing a breach in the judge’s rules. However, after several days of hearing, the caution statements were admitted into evidence.

Last Monday, it was expected that State Counsel, Ms Tuanna Hardy, along with the defence Counsel, were to address the jury, but the matter was adjourned to yesterday, after the forewoman was a no-show.

It was subsequently learnt that 24-year-old Tamasha Bristol was among a trio arrested with a quantity of narcotics two Sundays ago.