Floods postpone Naraynsingh case

Justice Herbert Volney was forced to postpone the hearing for today. The State, led by special prosecutor Dana Seetahal, had closed its case on Tuesday against Seeromani Maraj-Naraynsingh and businessman Elton Ramasir for the murder of Chandra.

When the case was called yesterday, Volney told the court that the information at hand was that two jurors were absent. The judge added that the jurors were stranded in one of those areas unfortunately affected by inclement weather. "Regrettably, we have to adjourn this matter," Volney said, "and we will send the jurors away today and ask them to return tomorrow."

Chandra was gunned down on June 29, 1994, at her workplace — Langmore Health Foundation, Palmyra Village, San Fernando. She was the second wife of prominent vascular surgeon Prof Vijay Naraynsingh. Maraj-Naraynsingh is the professor’s third wife.

Seetahal was expected to continue legal submission yesterday which she began on Tuesday after closing the State’s case. The State called 19 witnesses in the case, including confessed hitman Shawn Parris and his brother-in-law Junior Morris.

The defence, led by Maraj-Naraynsingh’s lead attorney, Queen’s Counsel Karl Hudson-Phillips, and Ramasir’s lead attorney, Senior Counsel Ramesh Maharaj, have also made legal submissions to the judge.

Volney is also to rule on the submissions which will determine if the two accused will be called on to make their defence.

Hudson-Phillips is appearing with attorneys Ravi Rajcoomar, Prakash Ramadhar and Camini Naraynsingh-Chan, while Maharaj is appearing with attorney Larry Lalla. Seetahal is appearing with Deputy DPP Carla Brown-Antoine, and State attorneys Narissa Ramsundar and Nigel Pilgrim. The hearing will resume today at 9 am.