– as George Bacchus murder trial begins

The George Bacchus murder trial commenced yesterday before a twelve-member jury after the caution statement allegedly given to the police by murder accused Delon Reynolds was admitted by Justice Claudette La Bennett as evidence in the matter.

Reynolds called ‘Fatboy’ is charged with the murder of George Bacchus, who was found dead in his bed at his 76 Princes Street home on June 24, 2004.

Justice La Bennett ruled yesterday morning that the caution statement, which Reynolds allegedly gave the police and around which the prosecution’s case centres, is admissible.

Defence attorney Peter Hugh had challenged the admissibility of the statement when the arraignment was read so a voir dire (trial within a trial) was done. It had to be terminated once and restarted when it was found that a juror was related to a key witness. The voir dire wrapped up last Friday and the judge made her ruling yesterday.

This trial marks the second time the matter has come up in the High Court. Reynolds had previously been arraigned in the High Court for the murder but the trial had been discontinued for various reasons.

Meanwhile, the prosecution consisting of State Counsel Judy Latchman in association with Zamilla Ally and Diana Boyan led its first witness, Police Detective Cedric Gravesande.

Gravesande who is now attached to the CID Department at the Kitty Police Station was attached to the La Penitence Police Station at the time of the murder.