Murder accused disappointed as trial fails to start

SEAN PARRIS was dressed and ready for his murder trial due to commence yesterday in the San Fernando High Court, but he returned to Remand Yard disappointed, since the case did not get underway.

Parris was complimented by presiding judge Justice Herbert Volney on his dapper outfit comprising a cream shirt, grey pants and matching tie, in the First Criminal Court where Parris’ trial for the murder of Dr Chandra Narayansingh was to begin yesterday. “Regrettably the matter listed for today would not be able to start for reasons I would not go into,” Justice Volney told the potential jurors who filled the courtroom. He requested they return tomorrow. The Parris murder trial, which was fixed to begin on April 1, has been plagued by delays over the past nine months.

Confusion reigned over the appointment of a defence attorney for the accused, until finally in September Justice Volney said Keith Scotland was chosen and Parris expressed satisfaction with his counsel. Yesterday, Scotland introduced himself as counsel for the accused, while the prosecution was represented by Acting Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (South) Joan Honore-Paul. Parris is charged with the shooting murder of Dr Chandra Narayansingh on June 29, 1994, outside the Langmore Health Foundation, Palmyra.