THE traditional parade and the inspection of the Guard of Honour, which signaled the opening of the Berbice Assizes, were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At Tuesday’s opening, Presiding Judge, Brassington Reynolds, briefly greeted Divisional Police Commander, Jairam Ramlakhan, the lone officer, dressed in ceremonial uniform, before addressing the jurors in waiting who were seated under tents in an outdoor makeshift court room, where social distancing was observed.

As a result of the global pandemic, the 30-odd police ranks, who usually make up the Guard of Honour, were forced to remain at their various locations as their close order manoeuvers were restricted, in keeping with social distancing guidelines.

However, after the jurors in waiting were briefed of their roles and responsibilities, a 12-member jury was selected to determine whether Rooplall Abrahim and Gocoul Madanpàul are guilty of the murder of Anita Baichan, who was burned to death after her Hope Village, West Coast Berbice home was set afire by bandits on January 3, 2016.

The State Prosecutrix is Abigail Gibbs and the Defence Counsel, Sasha Roberts