Baird asks whether Karl is now ‘M’Lud’

MUCH of yesterday’s sitting in the Dhanraj Singh murder trial was taken up with legal arguments being heard in the absence of the jury.

The evidence from only one witness was taken, before further hearing was adjourned to 9.30 am today. In addition, the court took an early adjournment at 12.50 pm to permit those invited to attend yesterday’s inauguration of President-elect, Prof Max Richards. More legal arguments are due this morning in the San Fernando First Criminal Court where the trial is being heard, so much so that Justice Melville Baird advised the jury they must return to the courtroom at 1.30 pm today.

When the hearing resumed yesterday lead Defence Counsel, Karl Hudson-Phillips QC was back in court following his swearing-in last week as a judge of the International Criminal Court at The Hague. After the brief congratulatory remarks — first by lead prosecuting counsel, Sir Timothy Cassel QC, followed by Justice Baird, and ‘thank you’ remarks by Hudson-Phillips, the trial judge sought to clear up the first point — whether he and Hudson-Phillips should each be calling each other ‘M’lud.’ But Hudson-Phillips was quick to point out that it would be sometime yet before he would acquire that title of ‘M’lud’.

Justice Baird having ruled on arguments submitted last Thursday, asked the jury to be out of court for a short while.
But that short while turned into a long while as more legal arguments continued between the prosecution and the defence.
The lunch break — 45 minutes — was subsequently taken.
When hearing resumed at 12.45 pm the prosecution called the lone witness, Kelvin Delicia, who told the court he lives at East Dry River, Port-of-Spain.

Questioned by Sir Timothy, Delicia said he had four children. The eldest was known as Stephen Cummings; also known as “Chen”.
CASSEL: Is he still alive? — No sir.
CASSEL: Are you able to tell us what date he died?
DELICIA: On October 8, 2000.
CASSEL; Now, you told us you are a Catholic? — Yes sir.
CASSEL; Was he a Catholic as well, or was he a member of a different religion.
DELICIA: He had a different religion.
CASSEL: What was his religion?
— DELICIA: (after deliberating for awhile) said his son was a Muslim.
CASSEL: Did he have a job? — He was employed at the URP as an Area Foreman.
CASSEL: Which area? — It was more than one area he worked for the URP.
CASSEL: Can you tell us which area he was a foreman ? — I really do not know all the areas he used to work.
CASSEL: Where did he live? — He lived at Upper Laventille.
Delicia was then cross-examined by Karl Hudson-Phillips for the defence.
HUDSON-PHILLIPS: Have you ever heard of the Jamaat al Muslimeen? — Yes.
HUDSON-PHILLIPS: Was your son a member of the organisation? — Yes sir.

There being no further questioning the witnes was released at 12.50 pm, following which Justice Baird ruled that further hearing will resume at 9.30 am today.