Legal issues discussed in absence of the jury

LEGAL issues pertaining to the double-murder trial of Mookash Chandardath and Zanna Andrews were heard before trial judge Justice Herbert Volney, but in the absence of the 12-member jury, yesterday in the San Fernando First Criminal Court. Chandardath, 35, and Andrews, 26, are on trial for the murders of Chandardath’s neighbours, elderly couple Selwyn Grant, 65, and Ursula Iniss, 70, on a date unknown, between July 31 and September 17, 1999, at Allen Drive, Penal. On Monday, Chandardath’s wife Maria Charles testified on behalf of the prosecution. Charles, who no longer resides in Trinidad, told the court she has not spoken to her husband since his arrest on September 16, 1999.

The accused’s wife recalled that she began residing with Chandardath at 2 Allen Drive, Penal, on August 8, 1999, during which time she used to smell a foul stench emanating from next door. Charles said when she complained of the stench her husband bought disinfectant and sprinkled it outside, while she sprayed air refresher in their house. On an earlier day in the trial, Sgt Celestine Phillip testified that around 6.45 pm on September 16, 1999, he together with PC Corrie and other officers went to the elderly couple’s home at No1 Allen Drive, Syne Village, where they found Iniss’ headless corpse in a bathtub and Grant’s decomposing body lying in a foetal position, under a water tank outside the house. Ag Assistant DPP (South) Joan Honore-Paul is leading the prosecution’s case. Attorney Chateram Sinanan, instructed by Faraaz Mohammed is representing Chandardath, while attorney Ian Gray, instructed by Quincy Marshall is defending Andrews.
The trial continues today.