At Berbice Assizes…
JUSTICE Winston Patterson started a voir dire (trial within a trial) at the Berbice Assizes Thursday, to determine the admissibility of a statement attributed to murder accused Sewdial Ramroop.

Ramroop and Deocharran Gobin called Clem are indicted for the unlawful killing of Rohan Rampersaud, at Tain, Corentyne, on September 25, 2003.

Testifying for the Prosecution, in the smaller trial, was retired Police Inspector Colbert Halley, for whom a Bench warrant had been issued.

The attestation under challenge was objected to by Defence Counsel Kim Kyte John, for Ramroop, who is arguing it was obtained in breach of the Judges’ Rules.
State Counsel Dionne Mc Cammon is prosecuting in the case.