Accused couple’s murder trial begins

HIGH Court judge Devan Rampersad yesterday made good on his promise to begin the murder trial of accused Darren Thomas and girlfriend Natasha De Leon, putting an end to the delay for the case to commence in the High Court. However, just as a 12-member jury with two alternates had been empanelled to begin hearing the trial, attorneys for the defence indicated their intention to make legal submissions before the judge in the absence of the jury.

Last Thursday, Thomas’ and De Leon’s defence attorneys, Margaret Rose and Learie Alleyne Forte, had asked the judge to adjourn the trial until after they filed affidavits in the pursuit of legal action to challenge the State’s delay in bringing the accused to trial for a murder committed more than 12 years ago. Justice Rampersad refused to further adjourn the matter, insisting on Monday that he would begin the trial. The trial is estimated to last six weeks. Yesterday, before defence attorneys launched into legal arguments, Justice Rampersad asked jurors to return on Thursday morning. He sent them off with a warning not to discuss the matter, for which they are to yet hear evidence.

“You are the judges of the facts,” the judge told the jurors. “You will hear evidence and be asked to listen to it very carefully. Please don’t discuss this matter with anyone, as you may consciously or subconsciously be influenced even before you hear any of the evidence.” Thomas, 32, and De Leon, 30, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them for murder of Reuben Paul Jaskaran on December 28, 1992. Jaskaran, a Ste Madeleine taxi driver, was found dead near a pond not far from the Usine Sugar Factory at Ste Madeleine. His body bore multiple stab wounds.