Murder trial aborted after juror spoke with defence lawyer

Four people, including a woman, charged with killing a man at Chesney Village, Corentyne, Berbice had their trial aborted after it was reported that a juror was seem speaking with one of the two defence lawyers.

The lone female accused, Roopdai Sukhram, called Shanta, along with her male co-accused Hardat Singh, known as Vicky, Kapaldeo Singh, called  Rohan, and  Rajendra Lall, also called Rajin, are alleged to have beaten  Brian Chinapen to death  on August  8, 2007, at Chesney Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

At the Berbice Assizes yesterday, following an inquiry the number four juror apologized before Justice Franklyn Holder and said the conversation was based on a pending land court matter in which his brother-in-law was involved.

However, the judge in dismissing the 12-member panel, which was sworn in last Thursday ordered that radio messages be sent to the jury in waiting in order that they attend court tomorrow for  possible selection in the case.