Cassel takes over prosecution of Dhanraj

THE Dhanraj Singh Murder Trial yesterday resumed in the San Fernando High Court with the appearance  of  British  Queen’s  Counsel  Timothy  Cassel  who took over prosecution of   the former Local Government Minister for murder.

Cassel, who has been hired by the State to lead the prosecution team,  began replying  to legal  submissions on an issue which attorneys  defending Singh had raised with the judge last week. It was Cassel’s first apearance in the trial which began almost three weeks ago  (February 17). Singh is facing trial for the murder of  Hansraj Sumairsingh, chairman of the Rio Claro/Mayaro Regional Corporation. The murder is alleged to have been committed between December 31, 1999  and  January 1, 2000  in  Mayaro. When the trial came up for hearing on  January 7,  attorney from the Department of Public  Prosecutions, Devan Rampersad,  had indicated that Cassel would  not be available until  March. Justice Baird, however, fixed the case to start on February 17.  Rampersad,  an acting assistant Director of  Public Prosecution, took charge of  the case for the  State until yesterday when Cassel made his appearance.

When hearing resumed yesterday, the jury  of  12 members and one alternate was brought to court from the hotel where they had been sequestered for the Carnival weekend and  where they would remain for the  duration of the trial. Justice Baird welcomed Cassel to the First Assize Court. In reply,  the Queen’s Counsel said that he had never been to San Fernando  and it was indeed a delight for him to be there. “I know I would certainly enjoy it,” Cassel said. Attorney Ravi Rajcoomar apologised to the court for the absence of  lead defence attorney, Karl  Hudson Phillips QC who is in the Hague  for his swearing in as a judge  of  the International Criminal Court and  is expected to  return  on  March  12. Proceedings got underway yesterday with the judge ordering the jury back to the hotel to return next week. He then began hearing submissions by attorney Rajcoomar. Cassel then replied and continued until 2:30 pm.  He will continue this morning when hearing resumes.