Man in court for murder

Manickram’s attorney Richard Clarke-Wills expressed concern that despite the new Criminal Proceedings Rules, he is yet to receive a summary of the evidence against his client. “I thought a prosecutor would have been assigned,” Clarke-Wills said. He said it was like, ‘extracting blood from stone’, to get answers from the prosecution, adding it appears the new rules have made no difference.

Prosecutor Insp Winston Dillon said while he did not want pre-empt the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, he could say that statements were obtained from witnesses but are yet to be sworn to and the police file into the murder investigations is expected to be sent to the DPP by May 23.

In keeping with the new Criminal Proceedings Rules which mandates the defence to state its case from the outset, Clarke- Wills indicated that the case for the defence will be one of alibi.

The matter was adjourned to May 31.