THE long-awaited trial for death row inmate Royden Williams called ‘Smallie’ and his co-accused Sherwin Nero, known as ‘Catty’, began after a 12-member jury was empanelled before Justice James Bovell-Drakes on Thursday.

The duo has been behind bars for almost 12 years for the murder of businessman Kumar Singh, called “Mango Man”. The trial has had several delays, including the fact that ‘Smallie’ had once escaped from prison. However, the case was finally called on Thursday morning with heavy security along the corridors of the court.

The indictment reads that the two were among four gunmen who, in 2007, invaded Kumar Singh’s Cove and John, East Coast Demerara home during which Singh was shot and killed.

Defence Lawyer Nigel Hughes is arguing that from the time the men were charged to the time the case came up in the High Court is more than an unreasonable breach of their fundamental constitutional right, which is catered for in article 144 of Guyana’s Constitution.

The trial continued with a voir dire as witnesses were called to the stand. The State is being represented by attorneys Tamica Clarke and Tiffany Lyken.