THE voir dire (a trial within a trial) in the Bagotstown murder trial is continuing after Justice Dawn Gregory overruled no-case submission by defence counsel Mr. Glenn Hanoman and called on the accused, Travis Rudder, for a defence in relation to the small trial enquiry. The voir dire continued on Monday with the accused giving sworn testimony from the witness box in relation to the death of his girlfriend Donnis King, who died in hospital on March 23, one month after she was allegedly shot.
Yesterday the voir dire did not go on, since one of the jurors was missing, and the judge was indisposed.
But on the previous day, at the close of the prosecution’s case in that voir dire, defence counsel Hanoman had again submitted to the judge that there was no case for the accused to answer.
When the hearing continues, Mr. Hanoman will complete his argument, after which State Prosecutor Miss Konyo Sandiford, in association with Miss Renita Singh, will reply.
The judge would then rule on the voir dire, which is expected to be followed by another voir dire to determine the admissibility of certain evidence which the prosecution hopes to tender.
The prosecution is contending that 14-year-old Donnis King died as a result of gunshot wounds she received on February 23, 2007.
The accused is also alleging that the police had used violence in order to obtain from him a statement in support of their case.
The hearing is continuing.