THE Bunty murder trial began with a voir dire (a trial within a trial) before Justice Franklyn Holder at the Demerara Assizes on Wednesday. Justice Holder decided on the voir dire after defence counsel Norma  Lewis  objected  to the  prosecution  tendering a  caution  statement allegedly  made by  accused Sherwin Barnwell, called ‘Reeya’ or ‘Rio’, on the ground that the statement was not obtained in accordance with the judges’ rules.
The voir dire is being held to determine the  admissibility of the statement.
Barnwell is indicted with the murder of Nohar Bahadur, called ‘Bunty’, between the 24th and 25th of December ,2006, in the county of Demerara.