Call to free 9 murder accused

Missing from court yesterday was prosecutor Israel Khan SC and Jennifer Martin. Fellow prosecutor Nigel Pilgrim informed the court as to the reason for Martin’s absence but there was no word on Khan. Guerra reminded the court about the length of time the matter was going on and the State had enough time to “put its house in order.”

Pilgrim asked the court’s permission to take over the matter until further instructions could be received. He also asked for a short adjournment for him to familiarise himself with the facts.

Mc Nicolls granted the request and adjourned the matter to today.

Regiment Sgt Leon Nurse, Cpl Ricardo De Four, Pvt Patrick Stevenson, Zion Clarke, Kevon Demerieur, Anderson Straker, Kenneth and Wayne Pierre and Doreen Alexander-Durity are charged with kidnapping and murdering Maharaj, 62, a US war veteran between April 5, 2005 and January 8, 2006.

He was kidnapped outside Samaan Tree Bar in Aranjuez and his body subsequently found in a shallow grave at Grand Curacaye, Santa Cruz on January 8.