The jury gets ready for Dhanraj’s case

A jury of seven men and five women were selected yesterday to hear and determine the evidence in the murder trial of former Government minister Dhanraj Singh. Also selected were four alternate jurors, all women, who may be added to the panel in the event one or more of the sitting jurors cannot continue.

However, members of the media were prevented from entering the courtroom by a Marshal of the High Court while the selection of jurors was taking place. Although the Marshal, who was recently transferred from San Fernando, was told that the trial was one of great public importance and the media needed to witness the selection of jurors, he was still adamant in his refusal. After the selection, the jurors were allowed to leave by Justice Paula Mae Weekes, presiding in the Port-of-Spain Second Criminal Court. However, they will return on Monday when Dhanraj will be arraigned and put in their charge. Also, lead prosecutor British Queen’s Counsel Sir Timothy Cassel will make his opening address in which he will outline the State’s case to the jury.

Following yesterday’s  jury selection, Justice Weekes issued some advice and warning to members of the jury and the media. She told the jury that they may have read, heard or harboured thoughts about this case before, but now they must disabuse their minds from all of that. She also advised them to avoid reading newspaper articles on the trial or listening to the electronic media reports on the case since certain angles taken or highlighted in the reports may confuse them. The judge told the jury that they would be hearing the evidence “live and direct” and it is only the evidence that they hear from the witness stand that they must consider. She further warned them that it was their duty and oath to only deal with the evidence from the witness stand. She alerted them not to discuss matters of the trial with anyone outside of their panel.

Karl Hudson-Phillip QC, lead attorney for the defence, and Sir Timothy shared the view that Justice Weekes should write media houses warning their reporters to be very careful about their reports on the trial. The judge also advised members of the jury to put all their domestic affairs and other business in place since hearing will start everyday from 9 am and end between 2 to 2.30 pm. The prosecution’s team includes Sir Timothy, Assistant DPP Devan Rampersad, prosecutors Angelica Teelucksingh and Sharon Raphael while Hudson-Phillip leads Ravi Rajcoomar, Prakash Ramadhar and Jennifer Hudson-Phillip.